What are the most effective ways to promote active learning in adults?

1 Choose relevant and authentic tasks

One of the key factors that influence adult learning is relevance. Adults want to learn things that are useful and applicable to their personal or professional goals, interests, and needs. Therefore, it is important to choose tasks that are relevant to the learners' context, and that simulate real-world situations and challenges. For example, if you are teaching a language course, you can use authentic materials such as news articles, podcasts, or videos that relate to the learners' interests and goals, and design tasks that require them to use the language in meaningful ways, such as summarizing, discussing, or debating. By choosing relevant and authentic tasks, you can increase the learners' engagement, motivation, and retention of the new information.

2 Use a variety of methods and media

Another way to promote active learning in adults is to use a variety of methods and media to present and practice the new information. Adults have different learning preferences, styles, and abilities, so it is helpful to use a mix of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modes to cater to different learners. For example, you can use videos, images, diagrams, or charts to illustrate a concept, then use audio recordings, podcasts, or lectures to explain it further, and then use games, simulations, or role-plays to practice it. By using a variety of methods and media, you can appeal to different senses, stimulate curiosity, and reinforce learning.

4 Incorporate reflection and self-assessment

A fourth way to promote active learning in adults is to incorporate reflection and self-assessment into the learning process. Adults need to be aware of their own learning goals, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as the progress they are making and the challenges they are facing. Reflection and self-assessment can help them monitor their own learning, identify gaps and areas for improvement, and adjust their strategies accordingly. For example, you can use journals, portfolios, or quizzes to help the learners reflect on and evaluate their own learning. By incorporating reflection and self-assessment, you can foster metacognition, autonomy, and responsibility.

5 Provide guidance and support

A fifth way to promote active learning in adults is to provide guidance and support throughout the learning process. Adults need to feel that they have the necessary resources, tools, and assistance to achieve their learning goals, and that they are not left alone to figure things out by themselves. Guidance and support can come from the instructor, the peers, or the materials, and can take various forms, such as instructions, explanations, examples, hints, feedback, or scaffolding. For example, you can use a flipped classroom model, where the learners access the new information before the class, and then use the class time to guide them through activities, questions, and discussions. By providing guidance and support, you can facilitate comprehension, application, and transfer of the new information.

6 Challenge and motivate the learners

A sixth way to promote active learning in adults is to challenge and motivate the learners to go beyond their comfort zone and to strive for excellence. Adults need to feel that they are challenged enough to keep their interest and curiosity, but not too much to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. They also need to feel that they are motivated by intrinsic factors, such as personal satisfaction, curiosity, or mastery, rather than extrinsic factors, such as grades, rewards, or pressure. For example, you can use gamification, where you incorporate elements of games, such as points, badges, levels, or leaderboards, to challenge and motivate the learners to achieve their learning goals. By challenging and motivating the learners, you can enhance their performance, persistence, and enjoyment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?