Effective teachers get participants' perspectives on what topics to cover and let participants work on projects that reflect their interests. Adults are goal-oriented. They are motivated to learn when they have a use for the knowledge or the skill being sought. Adults view learning as a means to an end, not an end in itself. Participants benefit and are more highly motivated when the trainer shows them how the class will help them reach their goals.
Adults bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the classroom.
Adults need to be able to integrate new ideas with what they already know. This is particularly true if they are going to remember, and use, the new information. Information that conflicts sharply with what is already held to be true is integrated more slowly. Adults must see the reason for learning something. In other words, the learning has to be applicable to their work or other responsibilities.