Training adults learners

Merli (2011) addressed the need to create training documentation in such a way that it can be understood by the participant. She recommended writing the material at a sixth-grade level, which will allow for the reading skills of most adult learners. 

Merli, C. (2011). Effective training for adult learners. Professional Safety, 56(7), 49. 

Although no generalizations apply to every adult learner, it is helpful when planning training sessions to keep the following characteristics of adult learners in mind (System Safety Training, 2000, chap. 14). 

One serious mistake for an instructor is to approach the learner as a parent-child relationship. Instructors may act like a parent lecturing a child. Instructors should understand adult learning principles and view themselves as facilitators of the process (System Safety Training, 2000 Petersen, 1993 Mager Pipe, 1983). 

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