How Do You Like To Learn?

When it comes to structured training/learning, which do you like best?

• In person speaker/trainer
• eLearning Classes on the web
• Webinars (i.e., live speaker but on the web)
• Textbook

(Any others I should have listed?)

I am not the kind of person that learns well in a classroom. That said; I have taken courses online and found them pretty effective because I can typically go at my own pace and on my own schedule.

I do learn best by actually DOING! Show me once, show me again; let me do it with help a couple of times and by then I have the concept down to a point that I can apply it on my own and, if I get stuck, or need advice; I go to whoever I need to.

It depends on what I want to learn. I find webinars are good for updates on compliance issues and trends, although I supplement that with regular research (which is really self-paced learning). For soft skills that involve interactions with people and role plays, I prefer classroom sessions with follow up reinforcement using synchronous and asynchronous classes.

As a visual learner, I find web-based training very enjoyable(synch or asynch) although I have a very low tolerance for self-promotion and boring sessions - sorry to say that in over half the sessions I register for, I typically bail out after about 10 - 15 minutes, or work on something else while hoping the session will recapture my attention.

I would add "informal learning", which is a new way of saying I often ask a co-worker or contact a peer and simply ask about what I need when I need it. It would also include activities such as AptChat and being active on blogs and boards.

As Captain Obvious would say, your question really points out the need for a blended learning program that offers the specific information people need, when they need it, in the format they best learn from. Thanks for opening up the discussion!

Great reply Apt Doctor Doug.

As a lifelong learner (aren't we all?) and educator myself I've discovered:
(1) understanding an individual's learning style can enhance retention if the delivery and design of the materials takes this into account,
(2) retention is greatly enhanced when job aids and regular reviews (min. every 4-6 wks) and
(3)learners are actively involved throughout the entire learning event.

So - what are your favorite job aids? Cue sheets? Wallet cards? Mousepads reminders?

What do they look like?

What is the content?

Who are the users?

:side: Thanks!

Answering the question personally, I learn best by self empowerment and following and learning from others examples good and bad. From a corporate point of view, learning is more than just a session based approach, whether its live, online, textbook etc. Like Doug mentioned, there is the day in and day out application of content that has been provided.

In our grade school classroom days, the good teachers would walk around the class to observe each students progress and provide one on one assistance if needed, or even just commendation. The ineffective teachers put their feet on the desk and yelled at you when you got a D.

Our ability to embrace education as humans has not changed because we graduated. Our ability to succeed and progress will come as a result of a blended approach to providing education and application will come as a result of the backbone behind the company culture.

I agree that we are always learning and this needs to be part of a company culture actually. I cannot say that there is a specific setting that I prefer because it always depends on the delivery. I have had good and bad in all ways of teaching.
One of the common trait of materials that get me engaged is that the material is relevant to me. It is not always obvious but those training where the stage is set properly do tend to yield higher attention rate and better results.
If I can't relate then it is very hard to keep the focus because other more relevant matters may need my attention. In these cases I end up like Doug and waiting for it to end and/or doing something else...