About Adult Learning
Adult Learning Issues and
Tips for CORE FOUR® Trainers
Adult learning has received a
great deal of research and attention in recent years.
Instructors should be aware of three important characteristics
of adults trying to learn new skills:
- Adults learn more effectively
when they are motivated.
- Adults learn more effectively
when they are kept interested.
- Adults learn more effectively
when they are involved in activity.
Understanding more about how
adults process information is extremely valuable.
Here are some common traits among adult learners:
- Adults would rather take more
time to be accurate than finish their work quickly.
- Most adults underestimate
their ability to learn.
- Adults use prior knowledge
and experience to process new information.
- Adults lean towards solving
immediate problems and making immediate solutions.
- Adults must feel comfortable
before they will experiment with new skills.
Effective use of this understanding
can help you create the best learning environment
for adult learners. Here are some points to remember:
- Learning occurs best when
it fits the immediate needs of the adult and is
self-directed.
- Participation and sharing
experiences are ways that adults feel most comfortable
learning.
- Respect and trust between
the adult learner and the instructor help the learning
process.
- Providing a safe environment
and atmosphere will help adults comfortably learn.
Here are some other ways that
you can maintain the interest of a group of adult
learners:
- Adapt your own style for
presentation and be yourself, but change the pace
and method throughout the session. Make sure to
move around the room from time to time.
- Pay attention to how you use
your voice and vary the tone of it to avoid monotony.
Tell stories that help focus on a particular topic,
as people are apt to remember stories.
- Find handouts that relate
to your topic and use them as discussion pieces
and as a chance to walk around the room.
- Always ask open-ended questions
that require an answer of your group. Develop these
ahead of time and use them in debriefing the group
on lessons just discussed. The CORE FOUR®
Instructor Manual has many examples of such questions;
find the ones that work best for you.
- Learn the names of your participants
and use them. Everyone likes to hear their name
and know that the instructor cares who they are.
- Reinforce at least one section
of the course each session with a small group activity.
Many ideas are offered in the CORE FOUR®
Instructor Manual.
- Find enthusiasm in your topics
to relate to the participants. Show a sense of humor
with understanding. It helps to personalize your
presentation by creatively using your own name or
situation in some aspect of your dialogue.
- Find new ways to maintain
interest by incorporating a guest speaker or adding
some friendly competition to a group activity.
- Don’t be afraid to
deviate from your topic. The adults you are helping
have much wisdom to share. People feel more comfortable
when they can discuss issues openly.
- Watch your participants for
signs that it’s time to take a break. A five-minute
break can make a world of difference in the attention
to issues being discussed.
The skill of an instructor in
presenting important business concepts while monitoring
the adult participants for signs of other needs takes
practice. The essential ingredient is enhancing the
material in a way that is comfortable for you, the
instructor. Ultimately, as an instructor of the CORE
FOUR® Business Planning Course you
will continue to learn and grow in knowing how to
help your participants follow the path that is right
for them. Let your group lead you, use their wisdom,
and understand their concerns and challenges to find
ways to keep them interested in learning how to build
their business plans.
The CORE FOUR®
Instructor Manual and CORE FOUR® Instructor
Training provide many ideas to help trainers involve
their participants and keep them interested.
Here are some further resources
for training in entrepreneurial development and adult
learning:
Aspen Institute:
www.aspeninstitute.org
Business Matters:
www.businessmatterstr.com
Trainers Warehouse:
www.trainerswarehouse.com
EntreWorld Resources for Entrepreneurs:
www.entreworld.org
Bob Pike Group:
www.bobpikegroup.com
International Association of
Information Technology Trainers:
http://itrain.org
ItsSimplebiz:
www.ItsSimple.biz
United States Association for
Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
www.usabe.org
Northeast Entrepreneur Fund:
www.entrepreneurfund.org
