Characteristics of the Online LearnerLearners (especially adults) engage in learning or training for a variety of reasons, i.e. to acquire new skills, add value to their qualifications, mandated by their employers, optimize time reserves, etc. However, learners face the challenge of staying motivated if they feel the training is not relevant or practical. To develop effective training when preparing a training plan/teaching materials, trainers/instructional designers must be aware not only of the performance and learning context, but also of the characteristics of the target population. All learners are not the same and do not differ in the way they learn. “The process of identifying these specific characteristics is called assessment of relevant learner characteristics…we will simply call it learner assessment” (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2008, p. 89). This article will explore the characteristics of the online learner for the development of an online training program. Characteristics of the Online Learner “Efforts to formulate theory that takes into account what we know from experience and research about the unique characteristics of adult learners have been underway for more than five decades” (Knowles et al, 2011, p.58). Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2007) studied the characteristics of online learners based on demographic and effectiveness parameters. Demographic factors used include age, gender, location, employment and marital status. Most research shows that in online higher education programs, students tend to be generally older (25 years and older) than "traditional" students. Numerous studies show that more than half of these “non-traditional” learning students have full-time jobs; besides other economic activities, more than 50 percent are married, ...... middle of article ...... motivation and recruitment of working adults in the pursuit of higher education. Retrieved from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1356&context=theses. Knowles, MS, Holton, EF, & Swanson, RA (2011). The adult learner. (7th ed.).Elsevier ScienceThe dynamic learning-flight process. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.dynamicflight.com/avcfibook/learning_process/ Rothwell, WJ and Kazanas, HC (2008). Mastering the Instructional Design Process: A Systematic Approach (4th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer/Wiley. Teaching adults online. (nd). Adult learning theory. Retrieved from http://teachingadultsonline.pbworks.com/w/page/19891104/Adult%20Learning%20Theory_br Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (2007). Characteristics of students in online learning. Retrieved from http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collaborative/Teaching/students.html