So once you have determined what the learning objective is (see KSA-item), the next step is to find out how to get there.
There are a number of standard learning interventions that you can apply:
- Classroom training.
This is a setting we experienced when we were growing up, the traditional school situation. One teacher (the expert) in front of the group sends information to a group of students.
Positive aspects: Contact between trainer and trainee, customization is possible, as well as dialogue between trainer and trainees.
Negative aspects: In the old setting this is only one-way communication. - Facilitating classroom training.
Almost identical to classroom training. The difference is that the expert now has a role as a facilitator which allows students to discover what they are learning.
Positive aspects: Great interaction between facilitator & students and between students, active learning, better retention of content.
Negative aspects: Requires different skills from the trainer. - E-learning.
Any kind of electronic learning, ranging from a PowerPoint to the most beautiful animated content you can think of.
Positive aspects: Many people can participate at the same time, people can learn at any time, set the pace, interrupt when desired, no facilitator needed.
Negative aspects: No personal contact from trainer to trainee, depending on technology. - On the Job
The training takes place at the (simulated) workplace, given by an experienced employee, while he or she performs the task. See the items OJT and TWI for more details.
Positive aspects: Active learning increases retention, trainer is often a colleague, trainer is experienced in the task.
Negative aspects: An experienced employee is not necessarily a good trainer, personal way of working can be passed on to the trainee. - Social learning
Trainees learn by observing and talking to others.
Positive aspects: It is an informal process, close to people's social character, resembles the way we learn at home, trainee is leading.
Negative aspects: It is an informal process, requires the right culture in the organization. - Intervision
Giving and receiving feedback from colleagues in the same profession about problems you are experiencing. This autonomous process uses a structured method that is familiar to all participants.
Positive aspects: Autonomous, safe environment with colleagues.
Negative aspects: Requires skills to follow the process and achieve results instead of 'just talking about it'. - Coaching
Result-oriented guidance of person to work on prearranged goals. Usually there is a difference in experience between coach and coachee.
Positive aspects: Tailored to the needs of the coachee.
Negative aspects: Coaching is almost always experienced as positive, even if no measurable goals are achieved ("we have worked hard", "the coachee has grown"). - Blended learning
A mix of all the above. This allows you to tackle the different goals (KSA) with the most appropriate interventions, tailored to the target group. Think for example of combining e-learning with classroom training or coaching with On the Job Training.
Positive aspects: Customized, tuned, the negative aspects of one intervention are bypassed by combining it with another intervention.
Negative aspects: Requires effort beforehand, it is no longer a 'one size fits all' solution.
The way adults learn differs from the way children learn.
Adults take a skill they have, relate it to a new skill they need to master and work towards it. They will also do this only when they need it, so they need to understand the relevance and start using the new skill in the short term.
The 70-20-10 model has a strong connection with adult education.
The following learning interventions link to the 3 parts of the model:
- 70%:
All readily available electronic content (e-learning, e-books, practical assignments, interaction with peers and executives, wiki, making mistakes, getting feedback.
- 20%:
Skills matrix, Learning Management System, just in time coaching, webinars, social learning, mentoring, support.
- 10%:
Specific e-learning, classroom training.
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