I recently presented at a national conference on the topic of learner engagement.  Participants in my session were struggling with students in their classrooms that appeared to be uninterested and not engaged in the learning in the classroom.  In my session I reminded my participants that adult learners have a few unique goals when learning something.  These include:

1. Learn by four different learning styles (feeling, watching/listening, thinking, doing)
2. The content was important to job or interests.
3. The class was engaging.
4. The class included opportunities to try the new skill.
5. The class was given a clear path for using the new skill after the class was over.

I also mentioned Daniel Pink.  Pink in his 2009 book, “Drive” talks about motivation in depth.  Instructors must design with motivation in mind.  Some ways to do this are:

• Create an environment that makes people feel good about participating
• Give learners autonomy
• Keep the system as open as possible.

Some strategies to do what Pink suggests include building collaboration projects in the classroom, allowing learners to learn what they want and how they want and allowing students to teach other students.

Ultimately I believe that an effective classroom must include discussion, activities and an active lesson structure.  Learners need to feel in control of their own learning so that they can connect the dots of how this new information, skill or process ties into their overall success on the job or in their lives.

How have you seen this done?  Send me a message!