I read these recently and for some reason, I don't feel they are widely known, but certainly should be. When teaching adult learners, there are six assumptions designers should adhere to, according to Malcom Knowles.
- Need to know - This is the "Whats in it for me?" principle
- Experience - Learners should have some experience in the subject area being taught
- Self-Concept - Adults need to have a say in their learning experience
- Readiness - They should have an immediate problem or other situation that the training helps them solve
- Problem Orientation - They need to receive training that helps them solve a specific problem, not generic content
- Intrinsic motivation - They should be internally motivated vs externally motivated.
Understanding and implementing these principles is a great way to make sure your training is effective in meeting your goals. What are your experiences in utilizing these principles?