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Adult Learning Certificate

Course Info

Practices for successful adult learning differ greatly from those used for teaching children. By understanding the science behind how adults learn, as talent development and education professionals, we should optimize our learning and development initiatives to better meet outcomes and drive behavior change. To put it simply, this course will change the way you work and increase your impact.

This comprehensive certificate program introduces the key adult learning and cognitive science theories and demonstrates how instructional designers, facilitators, subject matter experts who train, and other practitioners can put them into practice to maximize learning impact. With this critical knowledge at your fingertips, you will be able to use adult learning principles to inform all aspects of your education and training initiatives, from needs assessments to developing learning content to engaging and motivating participants in and outside of the classroom. You will explore how the adult brain works, including information processing, cognitive load, and communication theories and how these can be deployed in a learning setting.

Why Should I Attend?

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of applying adult learning and cognitive science theory to help you improve your talent development efforts.

  • See adult learning principles in action through ATD expert facilitation and course design and activities.

  • Apply your learning through case studies, reflections, peer collaboration, and a personalized project.

  • Earn an industry-recognized certificate, continuing education credits, and an ATD digital badge to share with your networks.

Dates and Times:

Session 1: May 16, 2025, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Local Time
Session 2: May 17, 2025, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Local Time

Preconference Learning Price:

ATD Member: $2,045
Non-Member: $2,345

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Facilitator

Ethan Sanders

Ethan Sanders

Ethan Sanders is the Founder and CEO of Sundial Learning Systems, a consulting firm specializing in the fields of organizational strategy, development, and engagement. Ethan has provided consulting services to clients in the public, nonprofit, military, and private sectors for over 30 years. His leadership experience includes building and leading Sundial, directing AARP’s learning and development function, leading a Human Performance practice for ICF International, directing career management for the US Navy’s Human Performance Center, and managing instructional design and competency research for the Association of Talent Development (formerly ASTD).

He is a nationally recognized speaker who has published numerous books and articles on topics related to workplace learning and performance; he is also a certified performance technologist through the International Society for Performance Improvement, a certified action learning coach through the World Institute for Action Learning, and a certified Clifton Strengths coach through Gallup.

Ethan is the recipient of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, the US Navy’s Meritorious Service Award, and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) ‘BEST Award”. Ethan has been a faculty member of ATD for over 25 years, an associate professor at the University of Maryland since 2010, and has presented at workplace learning and performance conferences around the world.

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