Adult Learning Needs
How Do You Learn?
There are generally three different learning styles:
- Auditory - learn by hearing
- Visual - learn by seeing
- Kinesthetic - learn by doing
Everyone learns by all of these methods, but you have one or two preferred learning styles. Maybe you have a primary style of Auditory? Maybe you are Visual and Kinesthetic learner? Do you know your style? Do you have a different style based on the type of skill you are learning?
Why Know Your Style?
If you want to maximize your learning, you need to match your training method with your learning need. Select a training source that meets your learning need and you will be successful! But, receive training which does not meet your learning needs and you will be frustrated and unfulfilled!
Auditory Learners likely prefer: lecture, discussion, story-telling and podcasts
Visual Learners likely prefer: demonstration, illustrations and videos
Kinesthetic Learners likely prefer: cooperative learning, guided practice and independent exercises
When you plan to achieve a learning goal, look for a training program which meets a variety of training needs and especially including your preferences. Remember that you may have multiple preferences or varied preferences depending on nature of the material being learned.
Four Levels of Learning
In Evaluating Training Programs: The Four Levels (1st Edition, Berrett-Koehler, 1993), Don Kirkpatrick wrote about Four Levels of learning:
Level One: Reaction - Did you react favorably to a learning event?
Level Two: Learning - Did you acquire the intended knowledge, skills, and attitudes based on your participation in the learning event?
Level Three: Behavior - Did you apply what you learned during the training when you are back home/work?
Level Four: Results - Did you achieve your desired result because of your learning?
"Training is an Event, Learning is a Process"
~ Kevin Eikenberry
Contrary to popular belief, attending a training does not make you an expert. No one training program will ever give you all the skills and experience you need to always be successful. Training is just the beginning! You must take what you learn in a training and apply it in order to truly learn it. The consummate expert uses every learning opportunity to add tools to the toolbox and to increase proficiency with all of the available tools.
RIGHT RESPONSE for Your Learning
The RIGHT RESPONSE Workshop is more of an experience than your typical training. Experience:
- Cooperative Learning
- Discussion/Facilitation
- Demonstration, guided practice
- Self-Reflection Exercises
- Case Studies