Table 2.

Adult learning principles incorporated into IRL program curriculum.

Principle	Implementation
Adult learners want to be involved / collaborators in learning	• Solicit ideas for webinars and mini-courses annually and encourage continuous feedback • Incorporate fellow-led and fellow-selected webinar topics throughout the curriculum
Adult learners want to know why they are learning what they are learning	• Consistently communicate learning objectives and rationale for curriculum, including in in-person meeting agendas
Adult learners want flexibility and self-direction	• Online course content is organized into small modules that are labeled so learners can self-navigate • Consistently communicate that fellows draw on what they wish, with clear signals of which courses and readings/resources are to be considered supplemental/optional
Adult learners have a large foundation of knowledge and experience	• Communicate the IRL program as a “learning community” and emphasize co-learning and for fellows to contribute their expertise for their cohort
Adult learners are practical and goal-oriented	• Require only deliverables with practical utility (i.e., dissemination plan, collaboration agreement for team, research brief)
Adult learners demand respect	• Develop community-accepted “ground rules” to communicate expectations of respect, mutual learning, and growth for all program participants, known as the IRL Community Agreements for Learning and Practice