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Leave time in each class for your adult students to share their own life experiences that relate to the material. Encourage them to draw on their knowledge about a given topic to help other students gain perspective. Adult learners are more apt to have job or family experience that might be helpful in understanding a complex situation. Keep your adult students' attention by tailoring lessons around their interests when possible. Solicit feedback to shape the day's discussion around topics the class wants to know more about. You might say, "Today, I've prepared a lesson about conducting a job search. What interests you more: Creating a compelling resume or networking with people you already know?" Offer students room to select their own topics for papers and presentations when possible, so they feel invested in the lesson material. Adults are typically self-starters and may enjoy the chance to further research areas that apply to them. You might say, "Your final assignment is an oral presentation on a recent technological advancement of your choice." Provide concrete parameters for the projectsuch as the length or formattingeven if the topic is more open. Focus on active methods of learning rather than passive ones to help your adult students best retain material. Adults tend to remember more of what they do and say rather than what they hear or see. Use dramatic presentations, role-plays, and group discussions so your students can practice their skills. Reading or listening to a lecture are necessary sometimes, but the more you can encourage active participation, the better.
Allow time for adult learners to show their expertise. Ask your students what interests them most in a given subject area. Give students open-ended research opportunities. Practice applying the lesson rather than simply reading about it.