Supervisor, MAT Program, UCI School of Education University of California, Irvine
Session Description: In an era of distracted attention and competing priorities, simply delivering information is no longer enough to engage adult learners. To truly make an impact, coaches must move beyond content delivery toward intentional, research-based instructional design. This session provides participants with a deep dive into the science of how adults learn, offering a roadmap to ensure their next workshop, seminar, or training creates lasting results that make learning stick.
This session is rooted in andragogy, the study of adult learning, and effective instructional practices designed to engage audiences. Throughout the session, these practices will be modeled in real time, allowing participants to experience their impact firsthand. Attendees will explore effective processing strategies and forms of connection that foster active audience participation and promote deep learning. Through reflective inquiry and small-group discussions, attendees will learn to anticipate diverse learning styles and adapt their instructional approach to meet a range of audience needs. Intentionally designed activities become practical strategies participants can tailor to their unique demographics and organizational needs, whether they work with adults in-person or virtually. Session participants will leave with a toolkit of high-impact inclusion strategies and protocols that facilitate new learning. They will also explore effective strategies to manage digital resources and foster emotional attunement to maintain an engaging, supportive, and equitable learning space.
By the end of the session, attendees will identify which specific techniques they will use when designing future learning opportunities. This personalized set of strategies will help amplify their message and ensure their audience leaves with new insights to apply. Whether they are seasoned educators or first-time facilitators, this session empowers all coaches to design learning experiences that are engaging and impactful, making it more likely that attendees will seek out additional learning opportunities with them in the future.
Learning Objectives::
Explore Dynamic Instructional Strategies: Participants will evaluate and select high-impact instructional strategies that create engaging and interactive learning experiences for in-person and virtual environments.
Design Equitable and Attuned Learning Experiences: Participants will examine protocols for equitable participation and diverse processing preferences to ensure learning objectives resonate with their audiences.
Apply Adult Learning Theory: Participants will apply the core principles of andragogy, including the psychological drivers and mindsets that foster engagement and promote learning.
