6 Adult Learning Principles for a Successful eLearning

Age matters when it comes to learning new information, and teaching adults is fundamentally different from teaching children. Adults have more life experience—they’re older, wiser, and more practical. They need to understand how and why the information is relevant to them. This is why applying adult learning principles to eLearning courses is essential. By incorporating these principles, you can enhance learner engagement and improve retention rates.

Let’s take a deeper look into the six key principles of adult learning.

1. Adults go at their own pace

Adults don’t want to be told to hurry up and get something done immediately—they’re busy and need the ability to pace themselves as they see fit. Surely, adults can self-direct themselves through eLearning, and therefore, designers need to consider this adult learning principle when structuring the learning itself. This might mean offering shorter learning modules on a mobile device or audio options that learners can listen to anywhere.

2. Adults crave relevancy

Adults are impatient. Why do they need to learn this? What will it mean for their lives right now? What are the stakes if they don’t know this information? Relevant content in an eLearning course should be simple and easy to understand from the start. Once adults see the real-life benefit of learning the information, they are motivated to participate actively.

3. Adults are more experienced

Adults have life experience, and incorporating real-life scenarios in training helps them understand situations more clearly. This adult learning principle enhances their learning orientation, encouraging them to consider how this new knowledge will enrich their lives. If the information differs from what they normally learn, they could be hesitant to trust the learning. This is why it’s necessary to use proven sources and reliable data.

4. Adults are motivated by goals

Adults are goal-oriented. If they participate in something, there needs to be motivation. Therefore, design eLearning to present a goal and provide adults with the tools and information to achieve it. Present content engagingly so learners want to achieve it, not just feel like they have to. 

5. Adults are problem solvers

Adults learn by doing. Hence, when they encounter a problem, they seek a solution. Teaching new concepts using elements that encourage critical thinking to solve problems is a great method.   

6. Adults have different levels of readiness to learn

Adults are eager to learn when the information is relevant to their lives. This often involves aspects that impact their daily routines, workplace, or well-being. When these stakes are clearly presented, learners are more likely to take action, increasing their readiness to learn.

Ready to work together? Contact us to learn how we can tailor these principles to elevate your training!