Olaf Olsen

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2023), many adult students balance coursework with demanding work and family responsibilities.

The most common areas of concern are those students with reading and comprehension issues. They will need assistance in being able to comprehend and process course content.

Phonological codes are natural and effective storage tools. Adult learners can, through practice and application, acquire skill in grouping words through sound and definition. 

Impart students with the skills that they need to succeed in groups. Many students have never worked in a group setting. They need some practice in areas like discussion, active listening, giving and receiving constructive criticism, and managing disagreements.

The most important thing you bring to the classroom is you. Your physical presence, mannerisms, gestures, and voice all contribute to the image that your students form of you from the very first class meeting. 

Completion questions are an alternative to selection items for testing recall, and are especially useful in assessing mastery of factual information when a specific word or phrase is important to know.

Research has shown that more positions are lost due to ineffective communications skills and personality issues than to poor skill levels. Instructors need to reflect the standards of their field in requiring students to communicate properly and professionally.

Give credit for the correct part and work to improve the incorrect part of the answer. For example, "You are correct, let's see if someone can enlarge upon your answer," or, "Can someone add to John's answer?"

Careful planning is required as you select delivery methods. Experience will show you that you can capitalize on these differences.

In order for your students to retain the information taught, they must see meaning or purpose for the information, and they must also understand and be able to interpret and apply the information.