I learned that adult learners value having their time respected and benefit most from curriculum that connects directly to real-world applications and personal experiences. Incorporating practical exercises and relevant examples helps adult learners recognize the value of what they are learning, apply new knowledge to real-life situations, and make meaningful progress toward their personal and professional goals.
I also learned that teaching adult learners differs from teaching children. Adult learners often draw upon their existing knowledge, life experiences, and professional backgrounds to understand and absorb new information. In contrast, children may have fewer prior experiences to draw from and can find unfamiliar concepts more challenging to process. Understanding these differences allows educators to adapt their teaching strategies to meet learners' unique needs, promote engagement, and create a more effective learning environment.
I also like Victor Vroom's Expectancy Theory: M = E x I x V (Motivation = Expectancy x Instrumentality x Valence)
