| Principle | Action |
| Adults want to know why they should learn a particular topic | Tell them the benefit to them |
| Adults need to take responsibility | Inform learners of their responsibilities |
| Adults bring experience to learning | Relate/integrate new information to his/her experience or existing knowledge |
| Learners have significant past experiences | Allow the learner to share his/her experiences |
| Adults bring experience to learning | Draw upon learners’ experiences as a resource |
| Adults have preferences and prejudices | Allow learner to verbalize his or her point of view |
| Learning is facilitated when the learner has some control over teaching processes | Involve learners in planning the learning activities |
| Adults are task-oriented | Organize content around tasks, not subjects |
| Adults generally learn best in an atmosphere that is nonthreatening | Set a risk free climate, and make learning fun and enjoyable |
| Adult learning should be problem and experience centered | Create scenarios allowing learners to problem solve |
| Adults learn best by solving problems they can associate with their reality | Focus on “real world” problems |
| Adults generally learn best if they can validate their learning | Provide opportunities for dialogue among the group, and allow debate and challenge of ideas |
| Adults learn at different speeds and through different methods | Be flexible and use a variety of training activities |
| Adults like to learn through discussions | Foster a spirit of collaboration in the learning setting |
| Adults want to know how they will use the information | Emphasize how learning can be applied |
| Adults enjoy active learning | create small group exercises and moving around the room |
| Adults generally learn best in an environment in which different learning styles are recognized | use a variety of teaching strategies |
| Adults want to understand the scope before they are involved in the learning process | Give the big picture first then the details |
| Adults expect to be able to use what they learn immediately (not later in life) | Make information applicable to them |
| Adults need feedback and constructive criticism | focus on building the person not tearing them down |
| Learners need to apply what the learned | Allow the learners to apply information immediately |
| Adults want to be treated with respect | Listen to and respect the opinions of learners |
| Adults want to be treated as adults | Treat learners like adults |
| Adults like to laugh | Make learning fun |
