Beliefs About Adult Learners

Tip:
Adults as learners are different from children. If you are a K-12 teacher and have ever taught a workshop for your colleagues, you know what I mean. You will be more successful if you consider the following. Adults:

Some of the ideas I've come up with include:

• Usually come to the session wanting to learn.
• Have pre-conceived beliefs on what they will learn and cannot learn.
• Need a variety of learning styles to keep them on track.
• May have problems starting all over and unlearning what they already know.
• Have experiences and knowledge that they would like to build on.
• May have other things on their mind when you are talking.
• Like to have a say in what will be taught at the session.
• Want the content to be relevant to what they teach.
• Would like to learn in a non-threatening environment.
• Need to be challenged and may like to challenge the presenter and content.
• Enjoy asking questions - some more than others.
• Appreciate constructive feedback.

Submitted by:Barbara Bray

Next Tip: What Adults Retain