When I was much younger my dad would take our family on road trips that didn’t always have a finite location or a destination. Often, it was about the journey and not going somewhere specific. What made the road trips memorable were the traditions that were sure to accompany each expedition. For example, we would seek out the best “hole in the wall” restaurant, or my personal favorite, the mouth-watering pursuit for the gas stations that served the “best in the world” bacon cheeseburgers.
As trainers, it is important to know that the training and development of individuals is a journey. We, as trainers, need to ensure that we are stopping along the way to allow the learning transfer to occur. I have outlined 7 training and development principles to help showcase some stops along the way that we should be making. The mnemonic ROAD MAP will help us remember these key stops.
Rule of 3
- We tend to remember in threes. Steve Jobs from Apple is king of this concept.
- What they need to know the most, first.
- What they need to know secondary is last.
- Everything else is in the middle.
- Keep It Super Simple.
Observe, observe, observe
- Trainers should constantly and consistently evaluate what is happening in the training room.
- Observation allows you to know whether an introvert is accumulating knowledge or not.
- Observation during activities ensures that everyone is on the right page.
Apply the concept
- First, tell participants how it is done.
- Second, show participants how it is done.
- Third, do it together individually.
- And lastly, participants should teach someone else how to do it.
Desire to know the “Why?”
- Trainees want to know why this module is important to them.
- A great introduction will have a hook that captures you and somehow shares why you are participating in the learning process.
Multiple Learning Styles Utilized
- 3 commonly used learning styles are Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic.
- These are not the only learning styles, but provide a solid base to work from.
- Most of us use more than one style in any given circumstance.
Actively engage
- Adult learning is about engaging those in the classroom.
- Our trainees bring experience and knowledge that we sought out in the hiring process. Why would we stifle them in training then? Allow them to participate.
- Engage the learner through activities that utilize techniques geared towards adult learning.
- Reward good classroom behaviors, like participation, and the class will repeat the behavior.
Please repeat (okay, I reached a little on this one)
- The foundation of learning is built with learning blocks of repetition.
- The more you hear, see, and actively participate in doing a task, the more likely you are to learn it, remember it, and apply it.
These 7 principles are not everything that we need to follow to be successful as a trainer. These basic concepts are the foundation that you can build upon to ensure you are facilitating a class and allowing the learning transfer to occur. So enjoy the journey! You never know, you may just find that “best in the world” bacon cheeseburger!
