Don't Waste My Time - learning about Andragogy

I hate team building exercises!  I hate copperative grouping actitivities in teacher meetings! I hate having to make up skits or cutsey posters to display information.  NOW I KNOW WHY!  Because I'm a grown-up! I know I don't often act like it but I am and that means I learn differently than my students. 

I have prior experiences that cast light on what the presenter is teaching. I have many other important things to do on top of attending professional development. I really just want the information and why it's important to me. I also TIME - time to process and use the new learning doing something that I can use in my room.  I really want the presenter to be quiet and let me process or integrate the new learning with my prior learning so that my time in the seat was meaningful. 

During Pinnacle this week we learned about the theory of andragogy (teaching adult learners).  The tenants of andragogy are especially important as to remember for teacher leaders in order to make the impact on teachers and ultimately students! Three things to remember when teaching teachers are:

1. Be sure they know right away why they're there and how the learning will impact their classroom.

2.  Be sure not to waste time. 

3. Know your audience  - you will have all learning styles in the room - be sure to offer as much choice as to how to learn the material as possible.  

4. Allow them time to connect the new learning with their prior experiences.

Huh - these all seem like great ideas to use with my middle schoolers as well!  I realize that teaching adults are very different but many of these concepts would be great to put into practice in the classroom as well!