Six Secrets to Creating a Highly Successful Adult Education Classroom Each One Teach One’s Professional Development Workshop Series 2015 Six Secrets to Creating a Highly Successful Adult Education Classroom presented by ESC, Region 20’s iLearning

Secret 1: Create an Emotionally Safe Learning Environment “Adult students have often been unsuccessful in earlier educational settings…Most adult students are anxious about their return to the classroom, about their ability to learn, about their ability to achieve academically.” What do you think makes an “emotionally safe learning environment”? How can an emotionally safe learning environment be created?

Model Academic Success Three proven strategies: Creating an Emotionally Safe Learning Environment Model Academic Success Be available to learners before class. Dress professionally. Always be prepared! Expect Respect Respect learners’ cultures, religions, situations, etc. Create a safe environment. Include & Care Create a sense of inclusion, belonging. Show genuine interest in your learner. Discuss learners’ opinions and feelings.

Your Strategies: Creating an Emotionally Safe Learning Environment Model Academic Expect Respect Include & Care

Secret 2: Involve Learners Constantly “Your student are capable adults who have much to offer. Ask for their input! Most adults are happy to have their lives validated by your suggesting that sharing their life experience could be beneficial to others.”

Three Proven Strategies: Involving Learners Constantly Set Goals Together Create short-term goals leading to long-term goals. Provide Variety and Choice Vary your presentation style. Let learners choose how they will demonstrate understanding. Invite Learner Feedback Remember you and your learner make an educational team. Elicit feedback from your learner.

Your Strategies: Involving Learners Constantly Set Goals Together Provide Variety and Choice Invite Learner Feedback

Secret 3: Keep Learning Relevant “In order for adult student to feel like they are not wasting their time in adult ed classes, they need to be convinced early on that what they are doing makes sense, that it is relevant to their lives, that it will help them achieve their educational goals.”

Three Proven Strategies: Keeping Learning Relevant Give “Real Life” Examples Use realia, “real life” examples. Seek Learner Input Ask learners what they need to know. (Record your learner’s needs in the learner folder.) Make Learning Challenging “Bump up” or “bump down” lessons to make them challenging. (Get Esther’s help!)

Your Strategies: Keeping Learning Relevant Give “Real Life” Examples Seek Learner Input Invite Learner Feedback

Secret 4: Use Brain-Based Learning Concepts “Using an eclectic mix of strategies allows teachers to accommodate students' preferences for information gathering while connecting learning to adult students' real lives and emotional experiences, as well as their personal histories and life experiences.”

Three Proven Strategies: Using Brain-Based Learning Concepts VARK Adjust teaching to address your learner’s learning style. Multiple Intelligences Theory that learners learn in a variety of ways. Project-based/ Problem-based Learning When possible, have learners work in teams. Bring out real life meaning in learning.

Additionally… Remember to add music, movement, natural elements, brainteasers, creative elements and more to your lessons. Work through the exercises provided for you, but ask what other materials are available to use in your lessons. Feel free to bring your own learning-based materials.

Your Strategies: Using Brain-Based Learning Concepts VARK Multiple Intelligences Project-based/ Problem- based Learning

Secret 5: Role-Model a Love of “Lifelong Learning” “If you can convince adult students to get in the habit of curiously seeking new knowledge (even frivolous knowledge) you will have given them a great gift.”

Three Proven Strategies: Role-Modeling a Love of “Lifelong Learning” Share Examples Regularly Share with your learner something you’ve learned since your last session. Recommend learning experiences. Read to Your Learners! Read a short selection at the end of each session. Let learners experience the beauty of words. Teach Reflection and Journaling Encourage your learners to reflect, write, and expand upon ideas.

Three Proven Strategies: Your Examples Share Examples Regularly Read to Your Learners! Teach Reflection and Journaling

Secret 6: Celebrate Successes! “A combination of small rituals, classroom ceremonies and the occasional class party will reap benefits far beyond the effort required to plan and carryout these events.”

Three Proven Strategies: Celebrating Successes! Draw on Past Successes Draw out successful past choices or achievements. Create an atmosphere of encouragement. Recognize Achievement Promote short-term goals as progress toward long-term goals. Create Celebrations When possible, celebrate as a group, building a sense of community.

Your Strategies: Celebrating Successes! Draw on Past Successes Recognize Achievement Create Celebrations

Your homework: Consider all that is presented in the workshop. Fill in the “Your Examples” pages of this packet, considering how you will apply each strategy in lessons with your learner. Bring this reflection to Kate, Thomas, or Vanessa, and get 30 minutes of additional PD credit!

For more information, review this lesson at: http://ilearning.esc20.net/ilearn/en/learner/jsp/offering_details_home.jsp ?classid=3662872