by Krista Tannahill

Created on: February 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2009

Learning is a lifelong process. At any age, the classroom can be an inspirational place of learning where students feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. As children and teenagers we are required to go to school to gain a higher education that will assist us in navigating the adult world. As adults, we are not required to go to school; however, for a variety of reasons we choose to return to the classroom.

It is important for adult educators to understand that there are several different methodologies involved in successfully training or teaching adult students.

Below are a few tips for teaching adult learners:

Relationship Building

Trust is an important element of adult learning especially when the participant is learning a brand new skill. Many times a participant in the training room or classroom finds it an intimidating place to be and as such becomes nervous and potentially closed off to the learning experience.

You can start building a trusting on the first day of a course by introducing yourself to your class. Provide them with some information about your background, why you are an adult educator and what you will be training etc. Once you have introduced yourself have the participants introduce themselves. Provide yourself with the opportunity to learn and gain an understanding about the participants are, why they are taking the course and what they want to learn.

Life Experience

Adult learners are self directed individuals who bring to the classroom a wealth of knowledge and a unique life experience. This knowledge and life experience shapes an individual's thoughts, ideas, concepts and opinions and creates a foundation from which they will base all of their learning.

Relevance

When facilitating a class with adults it is important to make the material relevant to each individual in the class. Have participants know and understand how the information being presented will influence their lives. For example are they learning a new skill that they can apply at work, at home or in their everyday life? How will this new skill or knowledge benefit them? If they don't already know what's in it for them you can help them find out!

Ultimate Goal

Adult learners like to begin their learning with a goal in mind. What is it that they are going to accomplish and how will this accomplishment be measured? At the start of any training session it is important to discuss or display the specific objectives of the course. For example if you are teaching a class on computer skills

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