These are my 8 key concepts to be considered when creating any adult learning material. Each concept includes actions that should be taken to assist participant knowledge retention.

2. Adults learn concepts in blocks1:
Action:
• Treat each concept as an individual block

3. Adults have a 5-7min attention span2:
Action:
• Make each block less than 7mins
• Grab attention at the start of each block

4. Adults learn by building on their
previous knowledge
3:
Action:
• Put each block in a logical order
• Use analogies to help learners link to
previous experience

5. Adults process information they believe
is important to them (“WIIFM”)
4:
Action:
• Explain the benefits before the session
• Explain the benefits before each block
• Tie it to “on the job” at the end of each block

6. Adults forget quickly5:
Action:
• “Have to know” in the classroom;
• “Nice to know” in supporting materials
• Get their attention at the start of each block
• Create opportunity to reflect after each block
• Ensure they put it into practice ASAP

7. Adults have to process information to
learn
6:
Action:
• At the end of each block, make time for:
• Silence / contemplation
• Discussion / clarification
• Create opportunity for purposeful practice

8. Adults process information best while
asleep
7:
Action:
• Recap the following morning
• Layer complex concepts over multiple days
• Conduct assessments between 24-72 hours
later

9. Adults like “completion”8:
Action:
• Use stories, as adults will pay attention as
they need to know how it ends
• Create a visual learning flow.