adult learning tips

It doesn’t matter what you know,

it’s how you teach it. Herm Edwards

Nobody wants to sit through a seminar or class and leave thinking it was a waste of time. Good teachers want students to learn and hopefully enjoy the process. Following are some ideas to help make the most of adult learning opportunities:

• Know the purpose, focus and goals
• Don’t get sidetracked on unimportant matters
• Know how you will measure success

• Remember learning is more than covering material, notes, script and curriculum
• Better one thing learned well than many things covered, but not learned
• Don’t be a fool. Just because people are politely sitting and appear to be listening does not guarantee learning is happening
• Be careful with handouts. If you give too much upfront people will read ahead and be finished way before you have completed your efforts

• Connect, greet, make eye contact and learn names with all possible
• Know your opening words cold
• Avoid saying “I have a lot to cover so we need to hurry.” (communicates this is going to be a fire hose of information as opposed to a learning process)
• Also, avoid saying you are sorry for being late or unprepared (don’t let these happen, be proactive)
• And, remember to have a clear, concise ending (exit strategy) ready

• Ensure that the setting and information are accessible as needed
• Be aware of what is unique about the setting and audience
• Avoid minefields, issues or words that may alienate the audience
• Don’t tell them what they already know
• Make sure they have needed backstory to understand what you are offering
• Respect adults by not reading word for word what you have handed out or are showing in a visual (most readers will get quickly ahead of you possibly resulting in losing connection, attention, focus and respect)

• Maximize your strengths and minimize weaknesses to balance your effectiveness
• Discover and grow your voice and style

• When well prepared the presentation flows

• Give learners time to reflect, participate and respond
• Give breaks (at least every 40 minutes), respect physical needs, sitting too long diminishes learning
• Be a hero, give the gift of time by finishing a few minutes before scheduled end. No one has ever complained about getting out early, many have been worn down to the place that learning stops before the teacher does…

• You are building on their past experiences and understandings
• All learning is self-learning, teachers can present and encourage, actual understanding and experiencing is the work of the learner
• Adult learning is collaborative
• There are numerous ways to communicate, learn about learning styles and mix it up

• Temp, light and décor can improve or detract from learning
• Ensure visuals are visible and sounds are audible

• Do not allow PP to become the center of your presentation. It is a tool to (subtlety) help
• Don’t leave slides “on” after impact has been made, move to next or a blank

• Use it to build bridges, incorporate surprise, transition topics
• Avoid inside jokes (this can easily ostracise those new to the group)

• Be ready to adjust and change to meet greater goals

• And learn from it