The adult learner is an interesting creature. "Value their prior knowlege and expertise" is a common theme in articles on the adult learning model. And yet, how do you assess a room's expertise in 30 seconds or less, and balance the participants' desire for validation with their (perhaps unconscious) need for the material at hand?
One thing I am learning is that one can never make assumptions. Never. Don't assume they know (about taxonomies of thinking, or questioning). On the other hand, don't assume they don't know (about the brain and its four lobes!) Be prepared, be over-prepared. And then be prepared to throw your plans out the window and go with the flow.
Perhaps the secret to success is authenticity, enthusiasm, openness about desire for relationship-building, even if only for the next hour or three.
One thing I am learning is that one can never make assumptions. Never. Don't assume they know (about taxonomies of thinking, or questioning). On the other hand, don't assume they don't know (about the brain and its four lobes!) Be prepared, be over-prepared. And then be prepared to throw your plans out the window and go with the flow.
Perhaps the secret to success is authenticity, enthusiasm, openness about desire for relationship-building, even if only for the next hour or three.
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