Learning Unit 4 - Building a World Class Program

Adult Learners Are Adult Learners

Building world class programs begins with the learning environment. If the learning environment presents barriers to students then learning is limited. Think for a moment about a workshop or presentation that you recently attended.

• What was the environment like?
• How were you greeted when you came in the door?
• What happened during the workshop?
• Were you engaged in the learning process?
• Did you have fun while you were learning?
• Did you learn anything new or a new way of doing something?
• Would you attend the same type of workshop or presentation again? Why, or why not?

Just like your students, you are an adult learner. You attend workshops, training institutes, and graduate courses. The only difference between you and the ABE student is the level or sophistication of the material to be learned.

If your students are going to be engaged in the learning process, you have to set the stage for learning to occur.