How Adult Learning Theories Can Improve Your Instructional Design

Are you looking to build educational programs that really work? Do you want your adult learners to stay interested and actually remember what they learn?

The secret might be in understanding how adults learn best! But how can you do that effectively? To get an answer, you need to give this blog a thorough read. Here, you will get an idea about the three adult learning theories and the simple ways to use these theories when planning your next program or class.

So, are you ready to get started?

Why Should You Care About Adult Learning Theories?

Leaders and administrators who have completed the Master's in Education Administration believe that when you know how adults learn, you can create lesson plans that work better.

Think about the last boring class or training you sat through. It probably did not stick with you very well, right? That is because it was not designed with adult learning in mind.

Adult learning theories- Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism- give you a roadmap for making training that students enjoy and remember. When you use these ideas, people learn more, stay more interested, and are more likely to finish your courses.

Studies show that institutions that use these ideas in their training see more learners completing courses and better results afterward. By understanding these theories, you can create programs that help learners succeed!
 

Set Clear Goals and Give Rewards with Behaviorism

Behaviorism is all about seeing clear changes in what people do. It is like when you do something right, you get a treat! It encourages you to repeat that behavior.

For example, when a student gets a badge or certificate after finishing a course, that is behaviorism in action. The reward makes them feel good about their achievement.

So, how to use behaviorism in your educational programs?

• Set super clear goals. Let learners know what they will be able to do once the course is over. For example: 'After this lesson, you will know how to set up a basic spreadsheet.'
• Break learning into small steps. Avoid loading too much information all at once. Break it down into bite-sized pieces that are easy to master.
• Give quick feedback. Let students know right away if they got something right or wrong, instead of making them wait to find out.
• Use rewards. Give students something to work toward, like points, badges, or certificates.

Also, Behaviorism works great when you need to teach basic skills step by step, ensuring everyone follows the same rules, and test if students have learned specific information.

Help Brains Process Information Better with Cognitivism

Cognitivism looks at what happens inside the brain during the learning process. Instead of focusing on rewards, it is more about how one remembers things, pays attention, solves problems, and makes sense of new information.

It is like solving a picture step by step. The brain is constantly connecting new pieces to what is already there. Cognitivism helps understand how to make these connections clearer.

So, when you design lessons with cognitivism in mind, you should:

• Chunk information. Make the content simple and comfortable to absorb. Break content into smaller chunks that are easier for the brain to handle. For example, divide a two-hour class into six 20-minute sections with breaks in between.
• Build on what students know. Start with simple ideas that connect to what learners already understand, then build up to the difficult things.
• Use pictures and videos. Use the concept of 'Show, don't just tell.' Promote the usage of diagrams, charts, videos, and examples to help students see what the lessons mean.
• Create mental hooks. Use simple stories or tricks that help learners remember the content. For example, use a funny story to help them remember a process.

Cognitivism is perfect when you want students to understand a topic deeply, think critically about information, solve complex problems, and apply knowledge in different situations.

Promote Collaborative and Real-World Learning with Constructivism

Constructivism believes that students learn best when they figure things out for themselves. Instead of just being told information, they build their own understanding through hands-on experiences, solving real problems, working with others, and reflecting on what they did.

Think of it like this: In a constructivist environment, the teacher is a facilitator who guides learners through problem-solving and exploration, allowing them to develop their own conclusions.

So, how to apply constructivism in your programs? You should:

• Create real-world projects. Give learners actual problems to solve that match what they will face in real life.
• Encourage learners to team up and share ideas. Group activities often lead to deeper learning.
• Ask questions instead of giving answers. Tell teachers to guide students to discover solutions themselves instead of just telling them what to do.
• Make time for thinking. Build in moments for students to think about what they learned and how they will use it. Ask questions like 'How will you apply this tomorrow?'

Constructivism works wonderfully when you want the adult learners to develop leadership skills, learn to work in teams, apply knowledge in messy, real-world situations, and think creatively about problems.

Mixing and Matching All Three Theories Together

You can blend different theories instead of choosing only one. Actually, the best training programs use parts from all three! Here's how you might mix them:

1. Start with clear goals and steps (Behaviorism).
2. Present information in brain-friendly chunks with visuals (Cognitivism).
3. Have learners solve real-life tasks while collaborating in groups (Constructivism).
4. Give rewards and feedback throughout (Behaviorism).
5. End with a reflection on what was learned (Constructivism).

No matter which theories you use, here are some quick tips to make your training better:

• Keep it relevant. Adults prefer learning that helps them do something useful right after.
• Respect experience. Remember that adults bring lots of knowledge to training.
• Be practical. Help learners connect lessons to real-life situations.
• Add variety through different tasks to keep learners engaged.
• Get feedback: Ask the learners how the lessons could be better.

Bottom Line

Leaders who pursued an MA in Education with Leadership and Administration understand that understanding adult learning theories is a powerful tool. As you continue to refine your institution's instructional design, consider how each of these theories can play a role in meeting your educational goals. Whether you are developing educational programs, designing curricula, or planning professional development initiatives, adult learning theories can help ensure that your educational strategies are effective and impactful.

Written By : Laura Taylor