1. Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Learning Environment
A welcoming and inclusive environment are important when teaching professional adult learners, who bring diverse experiences and backgrounds into the classroom. By being culturally aware and actively listening, instructors can ensure all learners feel valued and understood. Establishing a safe and welcoming environment encourages learners to share their insights and experiences openly.
Use these tools to Foster a Welcoming and Inclusive Learning Environment
Share an Introduction Video
Create a short 1-2 minute video to introduce yourself to learners and foster positive instructor presence.
Facilitate Learner Introductions
Create an a synchronous or asynchronous opportunity for learners to introduce themselves to you and each other. Learn about who they are, their interests and learning goals.
Use Name Coach
Encourage learners to use Name Coach, so you can learn how to pronounce their names. Using student names fosters a sense of belonging.
Encourage Open Dialogue
Create a safe space for learners to ask questions and receive help.
Develop Inclusive Course Materials
Develop content that is inclusive of all learners, to include the examples, images, and language that you use to communicate key course ideas.
Learn more with these Inclusive Resources
2. Explain Why
The first principle of Adult Learning Theory is ‘the need to know.’ Adult learners need to know why they are learning what they’re learning and how it applies to them. Direct application fuels motivation to learn. When teaching a skill or concept to adult learners, it is critical to define the purpose and learning objectives, explain the significance, and illustrate the relevance. Learn more about Adult Learning Theory.
Use these tools to Explain Why
Welcome Announcement
Starting the course with a warm welcome that includes an overview of the core concepts and rationale for learning sets a strong, clear direction for the course.
Syllabus/Course Overview Template
Use the Course Information, Course Goals, and Summary of Assessments sections to explain why and how the course content relates to them at the course-level.
Unit/Module Overview Template
Use the Learning Objective and Significance of Unit sections of the Overview template to explain why and how it relates to learners at the unit-level. Learn more about Overview files.
Presentation Slide Template
Use the Learning Objective, Significance of Learning, and Motivation slides within this template to explain why and how it relates to learners at the topic-level.
3. Integrate Authentic Assessments
Design assessments that encourage learners to apply what they’re learning directly into a solving a work-place or other real-world problem. For example deploying a new tool or implementing a process improvement in their current job will have a positive impact on the learning experience. Adults learn best when the topic is of immediate value.
Use these tools to Integrate Authentic Assessments
Access our Assignment Instructions template, Rubrics template, and additional resources via our webpage: Authentic Assessments: Projects, Presentations, Papers, Case Studies.
4. Integrate Formative, Peer and Self-Assessments
Create small, frequent opportunities for learners to pause, process the information they are receiving, check for understanding, and ask questions. Give learners many and varied opportunities to practice the skills or apply the concepts they are learning. Rather than one or two high-stakes assessments per course, create 2-3 smaller assessments for each unit, to offer more rapid and immediate feedback to guide learning.
Use these tools to Integrate Formative, Peer and Self-Assessments
Using self-reflection, rubrics, releasing assignment solutions, sharing models, integrating peer review and feedback, and auto-graded check on learning quizzes are all effective strategies. For example, completing small check on learning quizzes during or after viewing a pre-recorded presentation, gives learners a chance to check for comprehension before moving on to the next topic. Learn more about the Benefits, Types, and Strategies via our webpage: Assessments.
5. Draw upon Learner Experience
Professional adult learners bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the classroom. Create opportunities for them to learn from and with each other, as well as you. Deploy engagement strategies to facilitate peer-to-peer learning.
Use these tools to Draw upon learner experience
For example, encourage learners to present a topic, share an example, or work through a problem during a live web conference or foster small group collaboration on active learning exercises through the use of web conference breakout rooms. Learn more about Active Learning and facilitating collaboration with Groups and Teams.
6. Offer Flexibility and Choice
Professional adult learners are balancing their learning experience with work, family, and other social and professional responsibilities. Whenever possible offer flexibility in their learning path. Equally, offer learner choice with regard to content, assignments, and experience.
Use these tools to offer Flexibility and Choice
Flexibility and choice can be offered in small, meaningful ways. For example, consider the following:
- Provide 2 or more options for an assignment and let learners decide which one they want to complete
- Provide 2 or more options for how to complete a single assignment and let them decide how they will complete the assignment.
- Provide 2 or more options for a deeper dive on a topic and let learners decide which one to research/explore further.
- Allow students to drop/skip one assessment during the course.