We all have had those great, and not-so-great, adult learning experiences. How can we make them all great? It starts with truly understanding how adults learn and the nuances between the different types of adult learning. Adult learning is the engine of every school improvement effort, and designing it well is both a science and a craft. This three-hour studio dives into the evidence on how adults learn, explores the distinct types of adult learning, and helps you sharpen your design practice so every learning experience you create moves educators to action.
Grounded in research and built for immediate application, this session invites learning designers to examine their current work, challenge assumptions, and walk away with a concrete plan for designing adult learning that connects to student outcomes. This learning studio is built for hands-on, collaborative work, so bring your own context, your own challenges, and your own professional questions.
When: April 30 | 12–3 p.m. ET
Learning Outcomes
A clear understanding of what the evidence says about how adults learn
The ability to name and distinguish the different types of adult learning
Insight into how each type of adult learning does, or does not, connect to student achievement
A personalized plan for designing adult learning in your specific context
Practical strategies to challenge current practices and strengthen alignment
New strategies to inspire adults to move from learning to action
Who is this course for?
This studio is designed for those who design professional learning: instructional coaches, professional learning coordinators, curriculum directors, and school or district leaders responsible for building educator capacity. If you plan, facilitate, or evaluate professional development in any form, this session is for you.
How you'll learn
Three hours of interactive, practitioner-focused learning
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Research-grounded exploration of andragogy and adult learning theory
Personal writing using professional experience to connect with adult learning principles
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Community definition-building using the "Think, Jot, Drop" protocol
Visual learning through dual coding and a model of the mind
Small-group collaboration throughout
Stop hosting workshops; start designing experiences.
What’s the Impact?
The quality of adult learning is directly tied to student performance. This studio gives learning designers a research-grounded framework for evaluating current professional learning designs, alignment to outcomes, and practical tools for closing any gaps. Leave with a concrete, actionable plan.
When?
April 30 | 12–3 p.m. ET
Pricing
$319 for Learning Forward members, $399 for non-members
How will this affect our learning community?
Great professional learning experiences are the result of design choices that honor how adults grow, connect, and take ownership of their practice. In this studio, you'll explore the distinct types of adult learning alongside colleagues who share your commitment to building collaborative, engaging learning environments.
Transform how your adults learn into a victory for your students.
How does this contribute to our systemic improvement?
Reaching each learner in every classroom starts with ensuring that the adults in the building are engaged in learning that actually works. This studio challenges learning designers to think critically about professional learning, examine the research on what drives adult growth, and design experiences that have the potential to shift practice at scale.
Meet Your Instructor
Peter Carpenter is a veteran educator with a 30-year track record of positively impacting public education in Harford County Public Schools, Maryland. During this time he has served in numerous roles, from teacher to coach; from principal to Director of Organizational Development. No matter the role, Peter's focus remains to joyfully equip and empower educators to better serve their students. Now residing in Clermont, Florida, Peter has launched his own company, Leadwise Coaching and Consulting whose mission is to help educators and leaders take their leadership or instructional vision to victory. An ICF and Gallup certified coach, Peter is also a past president of Learning Forward, Maryland, and has served Learning Forward national as a member of their Conference Planning Committee, Host Committee Chair in 2023, and is currently a member of the class of 2026 Learning Forward Academy. He has presented at the national conference three times; twice as a pre-conference presenter. Peter is husband to Melissa and proud dad to Grace and Lily, all who reside in Clermont with him. When Peter is not talking all things adult learning, he enjoys volunteering at his church and playing golf.
Whether you design formal professional development, coaching cycles, or collaborative team learning, the principles explored in this studio apply. Enroll today to reserve your spot before they sell out.
What is a Learning Studio, and how is it different from a webinar?
A studio is a hands-on, active learning experience. It is not a presentation you watch. Think of it as a working session where you bring your own context, challenges, and professional questions to the table. You'll engage with protocols, build alongside colleagues, and leave with something you actually created. Studios are intentionally designed to be messy in the best way: generative, collaborative, and grounded in real practice.
