How to teach adult learners anything in 4 easy steps. HINT: these steps work when teaching kids, too!

1. In 4 Easy Steps
For: Teachers, Trainers, Instructors, and Presenters
By: Sharon Bowman, author of Training from the BACK of the Room!

2. a pen
and paper
because you will be taking some notes.

3. *

4. *
YOU will remember
what you WRITE
better than what you READ.

5. Write one or two facts.

6. You just
connected to
prior learning.

7. Write a sentence describing it.

8. You just created
your personal
learning goal.

16. How might YOU connect these adult
learners to the content and to each other?

17. How might YOU connect these adult
learners to the content and to each other?
Quick-Write
Say: “Write a sentence
describing what you
want to learn and then
tell your table group
what you wrote.”

18. How might YOU connect these adult
learners to the content and to each other?
Quick-Write
Pair-Share
Say: “Write a sentence
describing what you Say: “Introduce
want to learn and then yourself to one
tell your table group other person and
what you wrote.” tell him or her three
facts you already
know about the
topic.”

19. How might YOU connect these adult
learners to the content and to each other?
Mark-Ups
Say: “Read the
Quick-Write
list of learning
Pair-Share objectives and
Say: “Write a sentence
describing what you Say: “Introduce circle the one
want to learn and then yourself to one most important
tell your table group other person and to you. Tell your
what you wrote.” tell him or her three table group
facts you already which one you
know about the circled and why.”
topic.”

20. 1. What is step #1?
2. What should
learners connect to?
Write your answers to the
above questions. Click back
through the slides if you’re
not sure of the answers.

27. Which items in the list below
do NOT include images?
 Slides with bulleted lists (like this one)
 Handouts that include photos
 Verbal facts about the topic
 Personal stories about the topic
 Text-only handouts and charts

28. Which items in the list below
do NOT include images?
 Slides with bulleted lists (like this one)
 Handouts that include photos
No
 Verbal facts about the topic images
here,
 Personal stories about the topic here,
and here.
 Text-only handouts and charts

29. Write step #2 in your notes.

30. More oxygen is now flowing to your brain
which will help you learn better.

35. 6 times
6 ways

37. How might YOU have these adult learners
actively review content or actively practice skills?

38. T E A C H - BAC K S

39. T E A C H - BAC K S
Pair
Teach-Back
Learners divide
into pairs (or
triads) and take
turns explaining
concepts or
demonstrating
skills they’ve
learned during
the class.

40. T E A C H - BAC K S
Pair
Teach-Back Table
Learners divide Teach-Back
into pairs (or
triads) and take Each table group
turns explaining chooses a
concepts or concept or skill
demonstrating to explain or
skills they’ve demonstrate to
learned during the rest of the
the class. class.

41. T E A C H - BAC K S
Pair
Teach-Back Table
Class
Learners divide Teach-Back
into pairs (or Teach-Back
triads) and take Each table group The class divides
turns explaining chooses a into half. Each
concepts or concept or skill half teaches or
demonstrating to explain or demonstrates a
skills they’ve demonstrate to concept or skill
learned during the rest of the to the other half.
the class. class.

42. Here is a list of other practice activities.
Which ARE examples of step #3?
 Playing a review flashcard game
 Taking part in a skill-related skit
 Reading a set of slides
 Participating in job-shadowing
or on-the-job training
 Watching a topic-related video

43. Here is a list of other practice activities.
Which ARE examples of step #3?
 Playing a review flashcard game
Yes,
 Taking part in a skill-related skit these
are
 Reading a set of slides examples
No of
active
practice
active
 Participating in job-shadowing here or
practice.
or on-the-job training here.
 Watching a topic-related video

44. Consider these
when choosing a
practice activity:

45. Consider these
when choosing a
practice activity:

46. Write a one-sentence summary
of step #3 in your notes.

49. Write a statement
comparing what you
knew about how adults
learn with what you
now know.

50. Reread your
personal learning goal
and think about what you
plan to do with what you’ve learned.

53. Self-assessments
Written or verbal tests
Simulations
Demonstrations
Projects
Teach-backs
Peer reviews
On-the-job performance

55. A commitment to use
what has been
learned
or practiced.

61. 1. What is step #4?
Write the answer. If not sure, click to the next slide.
2. What should learners do during step #4?
Write the answer. If not sure, click back to slide #51.

62. Step #1: Step #3:
Get them connected. Let them do it.
Step #2: Step #4:
Show and tell. Stand back
and applaud.

65. The 4 steps are about HUMAN learning, not just adult learning.
Try them out with your children at home or your students at school.
Teach other parents, friends, and co-workers what you’ve learned.

66. Click through the slides and see if you can
find all the ways you were invited and
encouraged to participate.
Use interactive elements like these in any
type of computer-based training, including
your own Slide Share presentations.
Your learners will be glad you did!

67. Books by
Sharon Bowman

68. www.amazon.com for book purchases
www.Bowperson.com for free book excerpts

69. Sharon
Bowman
www.Bowperson.com