Stephanie’s Tips for Supporting Adult Learners

• Break up content into “bite-size chunks” which people are able to understand
• Try to find out and alleviate any concerns they have regarding the workshop
• Let them know at the beginning of the workshop that you will incorporate their experience and that you want to meet their needs
• Show the whole picture/end product followed by the details and then a refresher with the overall picture
• Show the relevance of the subject matter, demonstrate how will they actually use it
• Explain why activities are used and their relevance to the overall course or training sessions
• Provide plenty hands-on experience, with opportunities for success and praise
• Incorporate small-group work, since participants will be more likely to converse and ask each other for assistance rather than ask the trainer in front of the whole group
• Give them some choices by providing options and flexibility in their self-directed activities
• Create a climate of exploration and encourage them to have a go at it themselves
• Keep the learning objectives in perspective to the amount of time for the workshop; don’t try to cover more material than they can actually learn
• Make certain the participant is equipped with enough knowledge and skill to complete any talks, rather than setting the person up for failure
• Bend the rules, if necessary and appropriate, try new things and adjust to the participants’ needs