My introduction to training and building courses was way back when I was active in grassroots political organizing. A friend invited me and several other women to be trained by her as instructional designers (course builders) and trainers.

I had been substitute teaching junior high school, so I smugly thought that training adults would be the same – me up in front of the room as the expert. I also thought that I already knew how to plan and develop a course for adult learners. My creativity and wit, I assumed, would make me a star in this new setting.

I count that mind-bending experience as one of the biggest flops of my life. I also count it as one of my most thrilling, rewarding, and transformative learning experiences. Why?

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong again.

I learned the difference between talking and teaching.
I learned how a narrowed topic and laser-focus feed a logical, smooth-flowing, user-friendly course design.
I learned that Adult Learners #adultlearning are people with needs for practical, usable skills and a whole-life context for their learning.
I learned that my deep passion and desire to serve, coupled with solid planning, helped me meet my students most authentically and professionally.

This is what I want for you, too. I want you to experience how much more impassioned, logical, connecting, and student-friendly your online or face-to-face courses can be.

What do you want your course to do for your students?
Please post below.

Over the next 30 days, my “how-to” posts will teach you some gems from my 30+ years of training, instructional design, and group facilitation. You will be inspired to question how you can deepen your connection to your students and offer them a course designed for their best learning experience.

Watch for 30 Ways to Love Your Clients.
Have your arts and crafts supplies and your journal handy.