Instructional designs are described that respond to the personal needs of adult learners, the general education needed for employees in contemporary, complex organizations, and the need for effective instruction models for use with adult students. Following a discussion of the changing expectations in the work environment that result in a need for persons trained in collaborative and cooperative interaction practices, the needs of adult learners for autonomy, self-direction, group affiliation, pragmatic knowledge, and enhancement of self-esteem are discussed The following cooperative learning approaches are then described and illustrated: group investigation, reiterative problem-based learning (modified), and co-op/co-op (a flexible cooperative learning technique). Contains 12 references. (KM)