Motivating adult students are easier because they are aware of and appreciate the importance of education. On the other hand, motivating adult students is also more difficult because you can't bribe them with sweets. In any case, here are a few tips to make your adult students more motivated in the classroom.
Add Humor
As we grow old, we become more appreciative of humor and, in relation to that, the fact that laughter is the best medicine in the world. Adult students become more motivated to listen to your lessons when you add humor to your teachings.
Apply Lessons to Life
One of the biggest differences between adult and minor students is their knowledge of life. Adult students know more about life and in a way, it's their knowledge of life that has prompted them to seek higher or greater education. As such, they'll become more interested in what you have to say and you can show a valid link between your lessons and life.
There are various ways to make your lessons relevant to the lives of your adult students. Firstly, you can cite real-life examples or illustrations. Anecdotes such as these definitely drive home the point that your lessons have significant bearing on their lives.
Prove Its Benefits
Young students go to school simply because they have no other choice. They are entirely dependent on their parents and are consequently unable to go against their parents' will. It's the opposite in the case of adult students. With adult students, going to school is generally a decision they make of their own free will. Most of them are paying for their own education even.
Because of that, adult students are more concerned about getting their money's worth. In every class they attend, they are actively seeking for benefits. They care about a great many things that students normally don't care for. First and foremost, they care about the competence of their professors. They expect teachers to be knowledgeable about their subject of choice, punctual, and professional.
Even factors not within your power to change are taken into consideration by adult students. Facilities matter to them. They desire an appropriate environment for studying, ample access to library and other important school resources, and professional and courteous service from school personnel.
Be a Role Model
Another difference between young and adult students is the relationship they build with their teachers. The relationship they have with their teachers matter to them and have a great influence on how they tackle their studies.
They want teachers they can like, respect, and trust. To achieve this, you need to be a role model to them. You must lead by example because adult students are more perceptive and perspicacious than minor students.
Don't Violate Any Moral Code
Others may be self-righteous, some may simply fear the repercussions of going against society, but regardless of the reason, adult students are fully conscious of the need to value moral codes. Consequently, they are generally opposed to any teachings promoting violations of their personal ethics.
This doesn't mean that adult students are perfect. Simply speaking, adult students are just more conscious of the consequences of right and wrong and those who prefer doing the latter are smart enough not to give any hint of their real inclinations.
Adult students may be more complex to teach, but in many ways, teaching them is also more rewarding because you know that when they step out of the classroom, they have the immediate power to put your lessons to good use.
