Learning styles include perceptual learning differences, learning time differences, and information process differences. For this article, we are going to focus on perceptual learning differences which is most common.
Perceptual learning differences include:
- Visual learners: learn by reading and viewing, visually oriented
- Auditory learners: learn by hearing and speaking, need to clarify what they are learning
- Kinesthetic learners: learn by touching and doing, need to be engaged to learn
There are many theories on how to best engage individuals based on their learning styles. Some researchers will tell you that you need to train based on the individual’s particular learning style – which is certainly difficult if you have a classroom full of people who learn in different ways. Others will tell you to just train based on your own (the trainer’s) learning style. However, the training is about the participants (the trainees), not about you. The focus should be on them and what works for those who are attending the training.
I have found that not necessary focusing on a particular learning style but rather focusing on all learning styles in developing the training workshop curriculum enables for a successful event for participants. Here is what I mean by that. When I develop training curriculum, I include a variety of ways to engage the participants and ensure that everyone’s needs are met. This includes ensuring that all training curriculum is “hands-on” and includes a variety of ways to practice the skills and learn the material, such as:
- Case studies
- Video clips
- Powerpoint slides
- Flip charts for capturing information
- Group discussions
- Individual exercises
- Team exercises
- Role playing
- Handouts
- Mini scenarios for problem solving, etc.
A curriculum that includes a variety of ways to learn the material and practice new skills enables everyone in the classroom to be successful and find value in the training event.
Certainly monitor the classroom and if you find that some activities work better than others, be prepared to make adjustments on the fly to be sure that you are meeting trainees’ needs.
Your thoughts? What do you do in the classroom to be sure that everyone is learning? Please share in the Comments field below. Thanks!
Quite right Gina – thanks for your comment. It is essential to communicate in a way that works for the individual. Certainly I find that a variety of communication methods works terrific on project teams and with project stakeholders.
Thanks for your comment!
Best,
Gina
in our develope countries may be some of this tools not availabe,so it almost depend on human effort.
people have different capabilities for reciving, so ithink control and moniter each individual is akey factor.
Hi Sameer,
There are a number of universities that are partnering with organizations and/or alumnae to better provide opportunities and real-life learning to their students. I agree it is essential as it is preferred that those coming out of the universities have a practical grounding in what works in real life and not just the theoretical/academic viewpoint. Thanks for reading and for your comment!
Best,
Gina
Hello Gina,
Thanks for your comment. You are quite correct that your style of communication and how you are presenting the curriculum should be varied to accomodate a variety of individuals. Thanks again for reading and for your comment!
Best,
Gina
Hi Gina , agreed as noted , but there is a very important matter is the link between the universities and the graduated designations as this link will give feedack vise versa from the real life to the academic environment , frankly speaking , we have this practice with our University of Technology in Iraq, where we are till date in connection to our Profs , sharing ideas !!!….it is really cool , I hope this could be useful for the case Gina .
Very valid feedback Gina. I agree with your assessment. I have also found that it is essential to vary communication styles and mediums to communicate successfully with a varied audience.