The Art of Adult Learning

As educators, we frequently focus just on our students and how they learn best. But the adult learning is just as important. Through my reading and research, I have found that the adult learning styles can be drastically different than students. Furthermore, adults, because we are older and a little more set in our ways, are not necessarily as adaptable as students. So as an instructional leader, it is important to realize that with my staff comes a host of different learning styles ( much like a classroom). So the question becomes, how do we do professional development so that it meets the needs of every learner. How many times, as an adult, have you walked into a training and you sit in front of a power point and "learn." Is this similar to the "old school" version of teaching and learning when the teacher lectured and the students took notes? No matter who we work with, we have to create the experience so that it is conducive to their learning. Empower the learning, get them involved, and most of all, personalize their learning.