Here's why:
* Relevance: Adult learners are more motivated and engaged when they perceive the learning material as relevant to their lives, work, or personal goals. By allowing projects that reflect their own interests, you make the learning experience more meaningful and personally relevant.
* Experience: Adults bring a wealth of experience to the learning process. Encouraging them to draw upon their experiences in projects allows them to apply their knowledge in a practical way, fostering deeper understanding and retention.
* Self-Direction: Adults prefer to have some control over their learning. Letting them choose projects that are meaningful to them fosters a sense of autonomy and ownership over their learning.
This principle is closely tied to the concept of andragogy, which is the theory and practice of adult learning. Andragogy emphasizes that adult learners are self-directed, experience-based, and goal-oriented.