ABSTRACT
Anyone who has attended an educational program, whether it is a nonformal program in the workplace, a formal program in a school setting, or an informal program, such as a knitting class sponsored by a community-based organization, has experienced the work of an educational program planner. Program planners are individuals who develop educational programs, and the work they do can run a gamut of options. Educational programs may consist of a single course or a series; they may be courses completed in a few hours or ones that take weeks or months to complete; they may be conducted face to face, online, or via a hybrid method; they may include detailed structures or be loosely structured. Some programs, especially those of a formal nature, may lead to credentials, such as degrees or certifications. There is a wide variety in the type of educational programs developed for adult learners. In this chapter we discuss three different program planning models: the ADDIE model, Human Resource Development model and the Interactive Model of Program Planning. In addition, the authors discuss some primary KSAs, including knowledge of adult education theory and evaluation, along with collaboration and project management skills necessary for the successful program planner.
