As an adult-ed teacher, your job is to plan programs that are suited to people who already have a vast amount of education and life experience. This sounds daunting, but the best way to plan a curriculum is to keep the subject matter fresh. Although working or senior people may have plenty of subject knowledge, they will appreciate an up-to-date lesson plan. For example, if you teach a business class, incorporate lots of recent news and new software programs for business people. If you teach writing, bring in a recently published author to explain today's publication process.
Older people are usually not as well versed in technology subjects as younger people. Many of them wish to learn new software, so incorporate computers into your lesson plans. You may have to start with the basics, such as how to surf the web or download and buy products online. An easy way to add technology into your lessons is to create a PowerPoint presentation with a projector. It helps keep you organized as you move through the lesson, and gives the students a visual aid.
Children require lots of rote memorization and hands-on activities to help them learn, but adults have a secret weapon: critical thinking. Any homework assignments you give out should be essay-based or require deep thought. Multiple-choice exams are too easy for people who have years of life experience. Projects are good assignments if they relate to the "real world." Split up the class into groups for projects; it will give them a chance to socialize while learning.
A good tip to remember when teaching adult-ed classes is to keep the classes small. This will encourage discussion and allow you, as the teacher, to answer individual questions. At the end of every class, recommend a reading material to discuss in the next class. It will provide you with a good warm-up for the next class. When the course ends, give each student a book that relates to their lessons. They will appreciate it and remember your class for a long time.