What should safety educators remember when preparing to teach adults?

When preparing to teach adults, understanding the necessity of learning is critical because adult learners often seek to understand the relevance and applicability of what they are being taught. Adults come into the learning environment with various experiences, motivations, and expectations. They are generally more engaged and effective learners when they see a clear connection between their prior knowledge and the new information being presented.

Recognizing the necessity of learning helps educators align their teaching strategies with the learners’ goals, making it easier to facilitate a meaningful learning experience. This understanding encourages educators to create an environment where adults can reflect on their own learning needs and apply their experiences to new concepts, fostering a more interactive and personalized learning experience.

In contrast, while a structured and illustrated lecture may hold attention, it does not address the deeper needs of adult learners to engage with content meaningfully. Similarly, although entertaining presentations might enhance engagement, entertainment alone does not fulfill the necessity for practical application that many adult learners seek. Lastly, while it's true that adults might prefer subject-centered learning at times, this does not capture the complete picture of their diverse learning preferences or the importance of fostering relevance in the educational process.