Excerpt

Engagement reflects the quality of educational material. A course delivering valuable information will likely encourage interactions and motivate learners to pursue a deeper understanding of the subject. You can create such a course by consulting fellow leaders or seeking more information.

High engagement in a course shows the desire to learn and reflects the value of the content and its ability to inspire learners. Associations often deliver their courses using learning management systems (LMS). These boost convenience and enable members to review course material based on personal availability.

While an LMS improves flexibility, associations don't always integrate adult learning principles. This issue affects engagement and complicates information delivery.

For their educational programs to be successful, associations must apply adult learning principles and tailor their content in a way that improves engagement. It's also crucial to review the delivery tools to ensure efficiency.

Chapter 1: Engagement Challenges in Adult Learning

Online courses improve flexibility for members who seek a work-life balance. They enable more personalization because learners can work at their own pace.

Fueling engagement is often tricky when delivering courses online. Identifying the causes can help educators apply practical solutions. It improves teaching effectiveness and provides learners with a better experience. Reasons for poor engagement in adult learning include the following.

Limited Technical Skills

Technology is vital for the success of any course that you deliver digitally. But not everyone knows how to use online learning tools. While some may ask for help, others may feel discouraged. They will then lack access to important content, causing them to benefit less.

Educating learners on how to navigate the systems that they'll use is vital. Create tutorials and opt for tools that are easy to use. It's always crucial to apply age-appropriate methods for better results.

Complex Learning Material

Adults respond well to varying learning methods. Kinesthetic learners prefer hands-on learning, for example. They will grasp more information if they do a task instead of reading about it. Logical learners process things in steps, not as a whole, so they must break down content into several sections to understand it.

The complexity of course material can vary from one person to another. Some content may be relatively easy for a logical learner but challenging for a visual one. When creating a course, use different styles, and ensure that the content encourages all types of learners to participate.

Here are other types of learners to know about when creating engaging learning material:

• Intrapersonal — They understand the content better if they are the ones teaching it.
• Interpersonal — These learners learn better with group activities.
• Auditory — They benefit more from audio material and not written ones.
• Linguist — These learners prefer detailed explanations and comprehensive notes.

Inadequate Support

Learners may need explanations or guidance in specific areas. Inadequate communication often leads to poor results, so if you are unreachable, you might demotivate learners to seek help. The engagement rate will be lower because learners will not fully understand the content.

Facilitating communication simplifies adult education. Provide channels where members can reach you when they need assistance. Encourage them to contact you or their peers if they have inquiries.

Online learning is continually changing, and methods that were effective five years ago might not be ideal now. Asking for feedback allows educators to deliver better experiences because it promotes engagement and shows members that you value their opinions.

Provide feedback forms that members can fill in anonymously. Then, review them and address the raised concerns. This measure will motivate learners while enabling you to offer better support. You can also easily track progress throughout the course period.

Here are other ways that associations can support members to boost engagement:

• Encourage inclusion during group activities.
• Encourage engagement during virtual sessions.
• Reduce technology overload.
• Foster interactions.

Chapter 2: Increasing Engagement with Learning Management Systems

An LMS helps you increase engagement because you can deliver content with practical adult learning principles. Associations often use their LMS to organize content and rely on these systems to host their online learning materials.

An LMS can help you boost engagement in many ways.

Microlearning

Content overload may bore learners. It makes subjects appear complex, which can lower engagement. An LMS enables you to serve learning material in digestible portions. For example, you can break down lengthy content into scenario-based tasks. This aspect enables members to relate to the training course and helps them understand the value that your material adds to their careers.

Another way that an LMS supports microlearning is by boosting flexibility. You can create short courses and modules that members can complete on individual deadlines. This helps them understand and optimize their learning abilities.

Microlearning content is easy to create and distribute. You can update the material regularly instead of burdening learners with excess information. Members will engage with the material better and complete short-span courses quickly. They also receive awards for each finalized session, which encourages them to carry on with the training.

An LMS enables educators to boost the retention rate of their certification programs. They can simplify courses using interactive templates and create engaging material with fewer resources.

Intuitive User Interface

Members are more likely to engage with courses if they can navigate a platform. They'll also feel less confused, which allows them to focus on the material.

Your LMS should have an easy-to-use interface. This way, the intuitive tools can boost engagement with trainers, and members will know how to access support. They will also be more confident when asking for informal progress assessments.

Chapter 3: Delivering Adult Learning Principles in Education and Certification Programs

Adults learn differently than children, so associations must use unique methods to encourage engagement and ensure that courses are practical. Adult learning principles can guide trainers when creating certification courses, enabling associations to tailor the programs as required. This aspect improves performance and helps members feel more satisfied during learning.

The Fundamentals of Adult Learning

Effective adult learning depends on certain fundamental principles, and associations should rely on them to design appropriate certification material.

1. Self-Directing

Adult learners prefer to plan and assess their learning experiences. They don't need much help because they rely on their beliefs, values, and laws. For a member to fully participate in a course, though, they must understand its purpose. They will assess why they need the information and will be reluctant to learn if they can't establish any reasons.

A course that embraces self-direction should:

• Enable trainees to participate in training activities in the order that they prefer.
• Focus more on active learning activities like discussions.
• Provide opportunities for trainees to assess their progress.
• Allow trainees to grow their leadership and judgment skills.

2. Learning by Doing

Most adults prefer to learn via direct experience, so they will find course content more engaging if they can apply the acquired knowledge in real-life situations. Certification courses must include implementable methods and information that members will directly use in their careers.

3. Relevance

Training programs must be vital to the lives and businesses of members. They should clearly understand why the provided information is critical and be able to identify its direct relevance to their needs. Learning motivation can reduce significantly otherwise.

Here are tips to ensure that course material is relevant to trainees:

• The content focuses only on what the learners need to know.
• The material directly relates to the members’ future or current jobs.
• The training programs address specific problems.

4. Experience

Adults learn better if they can rely on their past experiences. A training course should help them make sense of previous events. It should also have context and use relatable case studies.

Here are a few ways to apply experience in adult learning:

• Introduce new concepts using analogies, comparisons, and similes.
• Ask learners for their opinions and experiences on a specific subject.
• Respectfully correct learners with incorrect information derived from their experiences.
• Ensure that the course material enables learners to be receptive to new ideas.

5. Learning with All the Senses

Most adults need multi-sensory learning. They often don't like a lecture-style environment because it doesn't engage many senses. An ideal training program should meet the needs of all types of learners by activating multiple senses, thus solidifying the understanding of new information.

6. Repetition/Practice

Most members will engage in training because they need to solve a problem. Thus, the course material must enable them to practice the necessary skills.

A practice-based learning environment gives members the confidence to solve real-life issues, grants them self-efficacy, and makes them more competent. Members will engage more if a program provides more chances to master skills.

7. Personal Development

Members need course content that guides their development. Suitable material should challenge them using dilemmas and test their assumptions and principles. Adult learning needs to include critical thinking, and learners should be able to question their beliefs and views on specific issues.

Members take education programs for personal growth, so associations must consider their ambitions and desires and offer content that meets their innate needs.

8. Goal Setting

Adults learn better if they have a particular goal in mind. They will engage more and get better experiences if courses help them meet pre-set targets.

Training programs need clear objectives. Associations must highlight how the material will help members fulfill their purpose.

9. Participation

An effective training program must apply participation as an adult learning principle and give members a sense of control. They need to feel responsible for their decisions and ultimate success.

Educators should give learners a certain amount of control over how much they learn. Likewise, they need to engage them in various learning steps. These include:

• Planning
• Content evaluation
• Progress assessment

10. Mentorship

Adult learners need mentorship to grasp concepts better. Educators should have a higher level of expertise and engage learners by sharing knowledge from their past experiences. This measure enables members to self-reflect and correct their mistakes.

Mentorship also helps learners improve their strategies by providing the guidance and evidence needed to boost existing skills.

How Associations Maintain Adult Learning Principles With Learning Management Systems

An LMS helps associations to apply adult learning principles in many ways. For one thing, it allows for more control over training. Instead of educators leading the learning process, members interact with the material directly. They can plan their schedule and set aside time to review course material, granting them more control over their learning pace.

Learning management tools improve participation. Educators can create group projects and share them with members, and they can also develop relatable practical tasks. With an LMS, educators can create unique experiences for each learner.

Another way to maintain engagement with LMS is through multi-sensory teaching. With the right platform, educators can apply many teaching methods. For example, they can use podcasts to serve auditory learners and create presentations and videos for visual learners.

Here are other ways that an LMS can help educators to apply adult learning principles:

• It enables them to mentor trainees through one-on-one sessions.
• Members can use the LMS to set and track goals throughout the training.
• The LMS helps members become self-sufficient.
• Educators can use the LMS to create course material that inspires creativity.

An LMS enables communication and engagement and encourages learners to consult educators by providing the necessary tools. Participants can hold discussions with their peers and collaborate on tasks that call for teamwork.

Associations can maintain engagement in training courses through active participation. Members can provide feedback, helping educators ensure efficiency. They should also have opportunities for collective learning and networking.

An LMS helps educators avoid issues that might lower participation. For example, it enables them to offer members the resources to navigate the platform. They can also use gamification to make the training fun. These aspects boost overall engagement and help associations build better relationships with learners.

Tips on Applying Adult Learning Principles in Your LMS

An LMS can simplify applying adult learning principles, but you can only create effective training programs if you first understand your learners' needs. Before developing content, conduct a resources analysis, as this will help you determine what knowledge is already available to learners. You may then identify upskilling and reskilling gaps.

Here are other ways to assess training needs:

• Request your target audience to provide input.
• Survey members’ satisfaction with the available development opportunities.
• Identify employee performance issues in your association.

Once you identify gaps, create a training program that addresses individual needs. An ideal course should solve performance issues and align with the goals of your association.

Another way to apply adult learning principles is by providing rewards. These grant learners a sense of accomplishment and fortify the value of the course material, which is motivating. Gamification elements are ideal for rewarding learners. Use badges and scoreboards to acknowledge good performance, and award points for completed activities like quizzes and polls.

Measuring and sharing training results helps learners feel valued and enables them to recognize the benefits of participating in course development and assessment. Share your association's training goals with your members, and ensure that they understand what the company wants to achieve by offering the course. As the training goes on, it's vital to share the results, as these will help members understand the impact of their new skills and recognize the relevance of their knowledge to their companies.

Building your course material on previous activities simplifies adult learning and helps participants remember each part of their training. When creating course content, ensure that you stimulate active recall. Always prompt the member to use the knowledge gained in previous lessons.

Active recall helps adults analyze course material better, boosting the chances of the knowledge staying in their long-term memory. It also simplifies applying new concepts in everyday life.

Chapter 4: Applying Adult Learning Principles with Elevate

Finding a suitable LMS is the best way to boost engagement. With the right tools, your courses will benefit learners and help them transform their lives. They can encourage members to sign up for more training.

Elevate is an industry-leading LMS. Many associations use it to empower members and drive loyalty. The platform will help you create engaging courses and certification programs. It simplifies the application of adult learning principles in many fields and supports formal and informal education. It also has intuitive features and an easy-to-navigate design.

Features of Elevate

Elevate has the features to help you create a center for knowledge. With this software, you can encourage members to share ideas, monetize your training programs, and get better returns.

Integrated Webinars

Webinars encourage interaction and help you reach a larger audience. Members can save the session and watch it later, which increases content understanding and offers better learning experiences.

Elevate integrates with other webinar tools and supports virtual conference platforms. These enable you to use a holistic approach during training, as you can utilize many educational tools under one platform.

Individualized Learning

Elevate helps you deliver custom experiences based on many factors, including the member’s role in your association and their status. You can also consider their preferences on things like learning styles.

With Elevate, it's easy to focus on personal growth as an adult learning principle, so each member will find your content to be relevant and meaningful.

Custom Design

Elevate enables associations to tailor the platform's design, so you can apply a unique style that suits your members. The solution comes with easy-to-use site administration where you can easily add various course content like:

• Webinars
• Quizzes
• Course notes

Elevate enables you to post polls and surveys, which will help you get learners' feedback. You also diversify the learning process and make it more personal. The site administration enables you to edit site pages and fully customize the platform based on your needs. It's also possible to add more pages to simplify navigation for learners.

Detailed Reporting

Reporting helps you track the progress of your members. Elevate has many tools that you can use to test if your courses are delivering adult learning principles. With the software, you can monitor each learner's activities and get a detailed summary of group access and course registration. The software can generate over thirty reports, giving you an overview of each aspect of your training.

Content Recording

Elevate provides content recording services for its users. Educators can leverage this service and deliver preserved content to learners. With content recording, you can produce sharable files of your conferences, which will support other course materials, such as presentations.

Continuing Education

Learners sometimes need several courses to complete their objectives. Elevate lets you create a flexible path for each participant. You can keep them on track with icons that show their progress.

The solution lets you set reminders to notify learners they are ready for the next step. It’s also possible to promote efficient learning in many ways. Such include allowing flexible enrollment, setting prerequisites and requiring full course completion.

Powerful UX

Elevate gives you the freedom to tailor and improve the user experience. You can create a user guide that helps learners quickly find the needed content. For example, organize your course content by date and type. Alternatively, list the topics and add related content in one folder. Even with a robust content library, you will guarantee usability by adopting this LMS.

Community Platform

A community platform is a great tool for engagement because it enables members to share their experiences and encourages them to brainstorm ideas during group activities. Elevate has a discussion area for every educational opportunity, so learners can connect with peers. They can also contact the faculty members if they need any help.

Chapter 5: The Benefits of Using Elevate in Adult Learning

Elevate simplifies adult learning in many ways, as the software integrates with several platforms to streamline course creation and delivery. Implementing it in your association helps you enjoy various benefits.

Simplified Webinar Management

Webinars are convenient and cost-effective for both trainers and members. They are essential in adult learning because they encourage participation, engage multiple senses, and help members build their network.

Using Elevate as your LMS lets you integrate webinars and other web-based events into your educational strategy with ease. The tool enables you to manage and deliver your content and record and repurpose it.

With Elevate, producing engaging webinars while handling other tasks is easy. You can streamline registration, speaker management, and content delivery.

Better Revenue Generation

Training programs help you build better teams while generating more income. Elevate is an excellent tool for monetizing your portfolio because the software has an intuitive registration tool that enables you to market your courses. You can reach a larger audience and get more members.

Elevate's registration system avoids the need to hire someone to manage intakes. Interested members can view your pricing online and access detailed course abstracts. This information helps them assess if the training material will be beneficial.

Elevate offers many opportunities to make money. For example, the LMS can help you create a sponsor hall where you can receive funding from third parties interested in your programs. The tool also enables you to create pages for course sponsors, so they can advertise their material, helping you get more traffic.

Convenience for Learners

Most members review course content when traveling or during their work breaks, so they prefer tools that they can use on their mobile phones. An LMS that's only deployable on a computer is inconvenient and affects the member’s engagement and flexibility.

Elevate guarantees learner convenience. The tool is mobile functional, so members can access course materials on the go. It also supports a single sign-on, so learners don't have to verify their identity whenever they access the content.

Delivering your adult learning courses with Elevate will allow for microlearning. Members can contribute to discussions at their convenience. Taking quizzes and listening to podcasts when commuting to school or work is also possible.

Learning Diversity

Elevate enables you to embrace diversity in your training courses. You can create a learning portfolio that's engaging and suitable for all participants. The software has many educational tools, such as:

• Integrated live events
• Infographics
• Discussion boards
• Activity sheets
• Learning paths
• Assessments

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) Compliance

Elevate is a SCORM-compliant LMS, so members can share content across various tools. SCORM compliance simplifies content creation and delivery. You can edit your learning material on a different platform and then upload it on the LMS, increasing convenience and saving time.

A compliant platform gives you more freedom when creating member experiences, as you can easily tailor the training structure. It's also possible to influence the order in which learners interact with the modules.

Apply Adult Learning Principles in Your Training with Elevate

Elevate helps many associations deliver content effectively to their members. Educators can fuel engagement with practical lessons and use intuitive features to ease microlearning.

Choosing Elevate as your LMS means you can use a holistic approach during training and continually update course content while saving resources. The flexible configuration enables you to customize the software based on your learners' needs.

Elevate, the leading LMS for associations, enables professional educators to develop curricula, certifications, knowledge sharing, and social learning to help association members meet their learning objectives. Schedule a demo today to see how your association can use the platform to its advantage while delivering exceptional professional experiences.