Adult Learning Techniques

Transcription

1 Adult Learning Techniques Delphina Sánchez, MA May 25, 2016 TST Practicum: Train the Trainer May 25, 2016 San Antonio, Texas EXCELLENCE EXPERTISE INNOVATION Delphina Sánchez, MA has the following disclosures to make: No conflict of interests No relevant financial relationships with any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity 1

2 Objective After this presentation, you will be able to Discuss the basic adult learning principles and techniques The Adult Learner Adults Learn differently from children Self directed Have more life experiences and knowledge Need material to be relevant Are practical Require different training approaches Part of being an effective instructor involves understanding how adults learn best. 2

3 Adult Learning Principles 1. Internally motivated and self directed 2. Bring life experiences and knowledge to learning 3. Goal oriented 4. Relevancy oriented 5. Practical 6. Like to be respected Tools to Teach Know Your Audience Keep in mind the characteristics of adult learners Be Prepared to Train Manage the Training Communicate Effectively Engage the Participants 3

4 Knowing Your Audience Helps You Design your training to meet their needs Choose the right participants for the training Omit unnecessary content Experience Skills Attitudes Knowledge Job/position Education New responsibilities Training needs Adults are internally motivated and self directed 4

5 As an educator you can Set up a graded learning program Develop rapport Show interest Lead student toward inquiry Provide constructive/specific feedback Review goals Acknowledge goal completion Encourage use of resources Set projects/tasks to reflect student s interests Acknowledge preferred learning style Adults bring life experiences and knowledge to learning experiences 5

6 As an educator you can Know your students Draw on experiences Facilitate reflective learning Move them toward a new understanding of information presented. Fidishun (2000) Adults are goal oriented 6

7 As an educator you can Provide meaningful learning experiences Provide real case studies Ask questions Adults are relevancy oriented 7

8 As an educator you can Relate the content and skills to the participants job. Relate content to problems encountered in their jobs. Adults are practical 8

9 As an educator you can Clearly explain reasoning Be explicit Promote active participation Adult learners like to be respected 9

10 Respect can be demonstrated to your students by Taking interest Acknowledge experiences Regard as colleague Encourage expression of ideas Learning Styles 10

11 Learning Styles Auditory Kinesthetic Tactile Visual Kinesthetic Tactile Prefer Physical movement Hands on activities Help this learner by Providing tangible objects to work with 11

12 Auditory Prefers Listening Help this learner by Having him/her read out loud Provide opportunities for conversation Visual Prefers Visual materials Pictures Colors Symbols Shapes Videos Reading Help this learner by Providing time for writing Using pictures, charts, maps, etc. 12

13 EXERCISE Understanding Learning Styles WHICH ONE ARE YOU? 13

14 Instructions There will be three different drawings. Work quickly First, draw what you see Second, draw what you hear Third, draw along with the video Immediately after each drawing, write the first 2 3 words describing your experience with that style After all three, review your personal experience and share with the group Ready? Grab your first sheet of blank paper and a pen 14

15 Draw what you see Two or Three Word Description Quick Write down the first words that come to mind on the bottom of the page for Visual 15

16 Ready? Grab your second sheet of blank paper and a pen Draw what you hear 16

17 Two or Three Word Description Quick Write down the first words that come to mind on the bottom of the page for Auditory For reference, the audio picture 17

18 Ready? Grab your third sheet of blank paper and a pen Draw along 18

19 Two or Three Word Description Quick Write down the first words that come to mind on the bottom of the page for Kinesthetic Now which style do you think you are? Which method was the easiest for you? Which method was the most difficult? 19

20 Review Your Descriptive Words Key Points to Learning Styles Use a blend of training methods and materials to reach the greatest number of adult learners Interactive Lectures Discussions Exercises Slides Manuals/handouts Videos 20

21 Communicating Effectively How Do Use We the Communicate Following Effectively? Tips Speak Voiceup Make your message concise Eyes Use appropriate language Ears Talk with your hands Be Body direct Language and honest Provide steady eye contact Maintain an alert body posture Pause Focus on getting solutions Be sincere 21

22 What Is Our Voice Really Saying? Sets the tone Shows enthusiasm Encourages participation Provides positive reinforcement Use Your Voice Project your voice so everyone can hear you Vary your pitch Use comfortable and varied pace Speak at the audience s technical level Use a friendly tone Use a microphone if necessary 22

23 Effective Eye Contact Shows interest in the topic and audience Find out Are participants engaged? Is there understanding? Listening Skills Use pauses to allow participants to ask questions and respond with comments Listen to what participants are saying Do they understand? Are there concerns? What are the needs of the participants? Use silence to manage the training 23

24 Convey a friendly, enthusiastic facial expression Provide positive reinforcement Use hands naturally Move around the room Ease nervousness Provide variety Body Language Engaging the Participants 24

25 Engage the Participants Create participatory learning situations Use variety of presentation styles, media, exercises, and activities to keep interest Change pace and/or activity every 30 minutes Change location of seating arrangements Use examples that participants can relate to their jobs/situations Engage the Participants continued Encourage participants to contribute their experiences Use humor (where appropriate) Allow for differences of opinion Keep participants alert 25

26 Methods for Engaging Participants Interactive lectures Group discussions Group exercises Role play Quizzes Using questions Energizers When Participants Do Not Respond Maintain a deliberate silence Repeat or rephrase the question Use body language/eye contact Encourage answers Give an example Answer the question yourself 26

27 Use Energizers to Keep Participants Engaged Energizer a short, fun activity that breaks up periods of concentrated learning. Can involve physical activity May be related to training topic Physical maintains energy and attention Team building builds rapport Types of Energizers Educational reinforces content and assesses learning Mental provides a problem to solve Fun highlights special skill or talent 27

28 Review Consider characteristics of adult learners Know your audience Key points to learning styles Communicate effectively Engage the participants Helpful Resources 1. Biech, E. (Ed.), (2008). ASTD handbook for workplace learning professionals. 2. Mager, R. F. (1997). Preparing instructional objectives: A critical tool in the development of effective instruction. 3. Schank, R. (2005). Lessons in Learning, e Learning, and Training: Perspectives and Guidance for the Enlightened Trainer. 4. Evaluation Toolkit, (2012). Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, School of Public Health, University of Washington. 5. Presentation Toolkit, (2012). Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, School of Public Health, University of Washington. 6. CDC TB Education and Training Network 28

29 Thank You! 29