This probably depends on how 'adult' the person is. At 39, I went back to college. I was more driven, more dependable, and got much better grades than my younger college mates. I was going there to learn, not to play.

With younger college students, still considered adult, you teach differently than you do high schools students. For one thing, you don't spoon feed them or remind them about deadlines. They get a syllabus at the beginning and are expected to actually read it and keep it. I think professors should keep to this because it is teaching life lessons. They won't get that many breaks in the work place no matter how much they whine about all the work they have to do. They are adults, they should be treated as adults (within reason of course).

With older students, you do not have to spend all your time monitoring them. You don't have to monitor their behavior in the classroom, or whether or not they are prepared for class. When someone goes to school as an adult, they often have to make a lot of sacrifices, including monetary, and they want to get everything they can out of the experience.

You can also have fun with discussions in the classroom. Since they are often better prepared, and have life wisdom to impart, class discussions can go to the next level.

You can also give them more freedom in how they do their projects. It will likely be good and creative no matter how they approach it. Allow them to use their life-skills in learning in your classroom.

Show respect and expect respect. Adult learners are much more likely to treat you with respect and as an equal, not an 'authority figure'. The dynamic of the class are much different when you teach adults. You can be much more creative yourself in how you teach and how you respond. Having adults in the classroom can only enhance the experience for all.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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