Adult Learning Best Practices

Adults as Learners 
Remember to use adults learning principles in planning your field day. Adults learn differently from children, therefore teaching techniques need to differ from those used in many schools and universities. Because adults already have considerable education, career and life experience, they want to acquire information that is relevant and which will help them.

Adults learn differently from children, therefore teaching techniques need to differ from those used in many schools and universities. Because adults already have considerable education, career and life experience, they want to acquire information that is relevant and which will help them. Thus, consider the following when helping adults learn (PDF). Use this exercise sheet to strategize (PDF).  Review this UC ANR produced video for more information Strategies for Adults learners Video (37:36 min)

Ensure effective learning by creating a lesson plan with an engaging introduction that connects emotionally, a memorable and interactive core, and a strong, inspiring conclusion. Use storytelling, compelling statistics, and active experiences to deepen understanding, and end with a clear call to action that encourages learners to apply their new skills. More details can be found here - Strategies for Adults learners (PDF)

Clear learning objectives indicate what the learner will know or be able to actually do upon completion of an education activity (e.g., class or workshop). Read examples here - Create good learning objectives (PDF)

Engage your audience with multiple learning styles—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—to enhance adult education. It provides practical strategies such as incorporating visual aids, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities to create effective and memorable learning experiences. Find out more here - Options to engage different learning styles (PDF). Take a deeper dive with this Engage your audience online course. For a quicker reference use the Engage your audience fact sheet (PDF) and the Thinking and Learning Styles (PDF).