Practical ways to apply adult learning principles

There’s lots of talk about using adult learning principles, but there’s not a lot of practical suggestions on how to apply them as enablers of change. In this episode, we’re going to suggest seven practical ways to apply adult learning principles. 

We’ve talked in the past about the six adult learning principles, and also how to use them in webinars. When it comes to teaching adult learners, workshops are one of the most common formats used by enablers of change. Here’s some practical ways that adult learning can be applied to delivering effective workshops for farmers.

1. Keep lessons relevant. Adults need to see the immediate usefulness of what they’re learning. In workshops, we can focus on hands-on skills that they can apply in their work the next day. Similarly, we can focus on current issues or technologies that are impacting their industry.
2. Focus on life experiences. Farmers and those who support them bring a wealth of experience to the learning environment. Encourage participants in workshops to share their experiences and relate them to the topic at hand. We’ve talked in the past about using online polls or surveys, and sociometry and continuums, and these are a great way to gather participants’ experiences, so they can be used during the workshop.
3. Tell stories. Storytelling can make concepts far more relatable and memorable. Sharing stories or case studies can help illustrate key points and keep learners engaged. Storytelling is a helpful technique in adult education, tapping into our desire for connection. It’s not just about entertainment; stories evoke feelings, spark curiosity, and create memorable learning experiences that can enhance the learning process. When people listen to stories, they can relate the scenarios to their own experiences, which helps to anchor new information more firmly in their memory.
4. Break up information. Workshops should be structured in a way that information is presented in small, manageable chunks. Chunking information is an important  strategy in adult learning, particularly during workshops and we’ve covered this in a couple of previous episodes on learning and learning science. It involves organising content into smaller, more manageable units, making it easier for learners to process and remember the material. This approach aligns with the cognitive limitations of adult learners, who can typically retain only a few pieces of information at a time. By breaking down complex topics into bite-sized pieces, we can help build knowledge progressively without overwhelming people. Workshops that employ chunking allow for focused discussions on each segment, enabling deeper understanding and retention. This method also facilitates active learning, as participants can engage with each chunk through discussions, practice, and application.
5. Provide feedback when needed. Timely feedback is crucial in adult learning, and in workshops, this can be immediate and direct as we observe participants’ work. We can use Q&A sessions throughout the workshop to provide feedback and answer questions as they come up.
6. Make material visual. It’s highly beneficial to use visual aids like well designed slides, charts, and infographics to complement our teaching approach. This is especially important in online workshops, where visual elements can help maintain attention and enhance understanding. Pictures always work better than bullet points on presentation slides!
7. Encourage questions and discussion. Let’s create an environment where learners feel comfortable asking questions. Workshops naturally allow for this interaction, and we like using the Think, pair, share method. This is where we invite people to think quietly about a question and maybe jot down some ideas. They then pair up with another participant and discuss their ideas, which gives them an opportunity to talk through their perspective without having to share it in a large group then and there. It helps get our thoughts in order! Then we can invite them to share those thoughts with the larger group; hence think, pair, share. 
8. Finally, a bonus thought! Be flexible… we need to recognise that adult learners may have other needs and commitments. Be flexible and allow some discussion off the topic, if it seems important to do so. Discuss start and finish times, and perhaps offer to have a shorter lunch in order for the event to finish earlier. If you say you’re only going to cover seven topics, no one is really going to mind if you deliver eight! We like to under-promise and over-deliver! 

By incorporating these strategies, we can create engaging and effective learning experiences for our adult learners. Remember, the goal is to facilitate learning that is meaningful, applicable, and respectful of the adult learner’s time and experience.

We’ve shared our insights about adult learning with you, and now it’s your turn to join the conversation. Please leave a comment below the blog post to share how you’ve implemented adult learning principles in your workshops. Thanks for reading this episode of Enablers of Change. To stay updated on future episodes, subscribe to our newsletter. And if you like what you heard, spread the word and invite others to join in on the discussion!