Hi Ken,
Isn't it amazing how “live†work can challenge and motivate a student? These adult students with all of their experiences still need to be reinforced that what they are doing is of quality. When a local purchaser indicates that the level of work that has been completed by the students is of industrial standard, the students know they are making progress.
The real challenge is to keep the student engaged in the learning process long enough to develop a foundational base of skill and expertise to enable them to produce goods and services for local shops. Make sure you provide the stimulation and examples needed to get them to that point.
Good luck with your classes. If you have any questions or comments please let me know. I will be glad to respond.
Gary