“Look at your feet. You are standing in the sky. When we think of the sky, we tend to look up, but the sky actually begins at the earth.”
- Diane Ackerman
Effective training
Designing training
Effective training begins with the design process, which needs to be grounded in adult learning principles, as well as a clear sense of the needs of the learners and their learning styles.
Adult learning principles top^
Overview of Adult Learning Principles
An outline of the motivational, learning design, and training delivery issues in maximizing the success of adult learners.
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 08/16
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Overview of Adult Learning Principles.net.pdf
Principles of Adult Learning
An excellent overview article on how adults learn best, discussing their special needs and requirements as learners and giving practical suggestions.
WCWPDS website, Stephen Lieb, linked 08/16
http://wcwpds.wisc.edu/related-training/mandated-reporter/resources/adult_learning.pdf
Learning styles top^
Analytical and Sequential Learning Styles
Excellent brief summary of the differences in learning styles, with practical suggestions for the learner.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 08/16
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/analytic.htm
Learning Styles - Global and Analytical
Excellent summary of the differences between global and analytical thinking and the implications for how people learn.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 08/16
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/studyskills.htm
Learning Styles: Holistic or Global Learning
Excellent comparison of holistic and global learning styles.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 08/16
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/global.htm
Multiple Intelligence Types
Excellent overview of the eight types of intelligence, which can help trainers in designing training activities.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 08/16
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/learningstyles/ss/multiple.htm
Training design examples top^
Creating a Syllabus
Excellent sample of how to approach creating a course syllabus linked to the goals, learning objectives, instructional activities, and performance requirements of a specific course.
Park University's Center for Teaching and Learning,by Allison Boye, linked 08/16
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/Resources/NewFacultyResources/HowdoICreateanEffectiveSyllabuswhitepaper.pdf
Write the Syllabus
A sample of how to structure a syllabus.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/syllabus/index.html
Training design principles top^
Articulate Your Learning Objectives
A good summary of how learning objectives drive training design.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/learningobjectives.html
Factors in Skill Acquisition
Describes the three factors - perceptual awareness, discretionary judgement, and skillful practice - necessary in acquiring a new skill.
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 08/16
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Factors in Skill Acquisition.net.pdf
Identify Appropriate Instructional Strategies
Identifies eight instructional approaches and links each one to types of learning objectives in order to assist instructors in effective course design.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies.html
Learning Domains or Bloom's Taxonomy: The Three Types of Learning
An excellent summary of the three types of learning - cognitive, affective, and psychomotor - and the implications for training design.
Performance Juxtaposition Site, linked 08/16
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html
Plan Your Course Content and Schedule
Tips for structuring the sequence and timing of training material in multi-session courses.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/contentschedule.html
Theory and Research-Based Principles of Learning
An excellent summary of eight basic principles of effective learning.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/principles/learning.html
Writing Quality Learning Objectives
An excellent how-to for writing learning objectives (often called performance objectives or competencies) that are brief, clear, specific statements of what learners will be able to perform at the conclusion of instructional activities. A Park University faculty development guide on how to write learning objectives.
ICOPH website, linked 08/16
http://www.icoph.org/dynamic/attachments/resources/learning_objectives_park.pdf
Training needs assessment top^
Recognize Who Your Students Are
Although this excellent overview is written for college instructors, its content applies to many training contexts.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 08/16
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/yourstudents.html