When it comes right down to it, developing training materials is one of the most critical steps in a training program/project. We’ve all experienced mediocre training, but how many of us have had the privilege of experiencing incredible, memorable, nothing like it training? What scares me is many may not even know this exists. Why not be the trainer others talk about by bringing this type of dynamic experience to your courses?
How does one do this? It’s a combination of personality, delivery…and early in the process it is about developing great materials and that starts with an understanding of Learning Theory.
Are you well-versed on Teaching Styles, Learning Styles (think Kolb), Design approaches (Behavioral, Cognitive), Bloom’s Taxonomy, Learning Objectives? These are elements of Learning Theory and are necessary to understand and integrate with your training material. The podcast covers each of these in more depth.
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17. November 2007 at 04:05
I think that designing training materials for a training program really demands that you know your target audience first. Learn who your audience is first by observering, testing, surveying so that you are able to develop your materials accordingly.
I understand the (Behavioral/Cognitive) approaches better now too.
17. November 2007 at 23:15
It doesn’t seem like very many people are taking advantage of this for extra credit. Is everyone getting an A or what?
This helped me understand the approaches better as well, as far as setting up training materials.
20. November 2007 at 01:52
I thnk it is funny how there are so many different “theories” into how learning works and is accomplished. Sometimes in this class I feel like it is a psychology class.
This chapter did help me put into perspective a lot of the ways learning takes place.
I think this chapter was a turning point of the group.
And I too think there aren’t very many people taking advantage of this extra credit or their to busy right now to do it. I am making a good grade in the class but I still would like to have extra points just in case.
13. December 2007 at 06:07
I must say I also had not much time for the blogs… they are pretty good though. The way kevinmhuff described the Behavioral and Cognitive approaches made it easy to understand. I really think that the podcasts should be part of the regular sessions.
15. December 2007 at 16:55
I liked the way the breakdown of how you can use different styles for different settings. I would agree with the two examples kevinmhuff gave with new employee orientation and teaching Microsoft Excel. I liked the breakdown of the learning styles you gave and the question asks about the careers using different learning styles. I liked the way you used the taxonomy and how you do not need to memorize it but be able to use whichever step you are going to apply. I like the way you grouped the organizing of groups of items and the use of “if then statements”.
8. February 2008 at 16:18
This chapter was so interesting to me. I teach elementary students and I’ve also given adult training classes in my previous place of employement. I’ve always thought there were differences in learning styles. This chapter also enlightened me as to what my own learnng theory was and why. Very good!
8. February 2008 at 23:53
I had on my agenda to look up the definitions for pedagogy and andragogy for a better understanding than what was in the text. Thank you for the clarification. It all made sense. It is amazing as to how many learning styles are out there and we probably use a combination every day without really thinking about the process. I know that for me, I enjoy problem solving and I have to be challenged intellectually at all times. I even take a simple task and find ways to challenge myself ~ to be more productive.
17. February 2008 at 21:04
I am busy throughout the day and having to sit down and read the entire chapter is overwhelming and stressful, but with the help of these podcasts, I am understanding each chapter better and being able to comprehend it.
5. March 2008 at 12:45
Yikes! More theories! This chapter was really hard to follow. Thought the poscast helped…I’m still confused. I understand cognitive. I think I am one of these people. I am a problem solver. I also understand behavior approach. I am having a hard time with Humanist though. Ugh! Too many theories to wrap my brain around. Is the humanist theory more of a combination of both cogitive and behavior? This stuff makes my head hurt lol! =P
19. March 2008 at 12:59
haha no doubt Tiffany…I’m super confused! You get one thing and then your lost on another it makes no sense. I feel like I could read read and read more. Not fun! There are so many teaching styles to remember and know! lol Once again I have to agree with Tiffany…we are a lot alike! =)
19. March 2008 at 17:55
I have never experienced incredible, memorable, nothing like it, training.
I may have been in the wrong jobs, but the idea is fantastic. I’ve said before that I had no idea that training & development was actually a study, so to speak.
But let’s go for it. For just a moment, let’s forget about the ROI, and think about how motivated people can be if they know what they are doing and looking forward to.