Motivating Instruction in University Continuing Education: A Fresh Look at the Key Principles

This article revisits the critically important issue of how to motivate adults to learn. From a review of the literature on effective instruction, the author synthesizes five comprehensive principles that exemplary facilitators of adult learning typically apply in their sessions, courses, and programs to create and/or sustain learner interest. The article includes some practical applications of these principles for instructors, programmers, and others who wish to enhance the teaching/learning process in adult education.