Strategies for Teaching Adults

• Invoke a teaching style that is egalitarian and recognizes the accomplishments, responsibilities, and maturity of adult students.
• Develop clear objectives, a detailed syllabus, a well defined schedule and within some flexibility stick to it. Nothing frustrates adults more than frequent changes in schedule, material etc.
• If it is required, use a well thought out testing and evaluation system and make it clear to the students at the beginning of the class.
• Develop an economic style of teaching that gets to the meat of things quickly and clearly.
• Develop a variety of teaching techniques, especially those that allow the adult student to be responsible for his/her own learning under guidance or supervision.
• Devdlop exercises that let the adult student apply what he/she has learned as soon as possible. Promote learning by doing.
• Recognize that the authority the teacher holds is essentially developed through the respect of the student because of the expertise that the teacher displays in his/her trade or profession, personality of the teacher, relationships established with the students, and the skill displayed in teaching and managing the learning experience.
• The teacher of adults is not a purveyor of information but a manager and guide for learning.
• The teacher should have the most current information, techniques and methods in use available to present to the class.
• Make clear at the beginning of the course what the student should know, understand and be able to do at the conclusion of the course and outline expectaions and standards.
• Adults respond well to high expectations and standards coupled with a flexible and interactive teaching style