The goal of any training program is to teach employees the skills they need to perform their job. The right training method will attain this goal and provide a return on investment for your company.
Some popular training methods include: eLearning, roleplaying, and coaching. However, not all training techniques are effective for all types of learners.
1. Microlearning
An effective microlearning approach presents a topic in one-stop, single-scrolling pages that can be accessed on demand as employees need the information. These assets may include short videos, podcasts, or text-based content. They can also incorporate hands-on activities or simulations that allow learners to practice and apply skills in a low-pressure environment, such as role-playing scenarios with simulated customers or colleagues.
The bite-sized format of microlearning is well-suited for technical subjects, especially as it helps to break down complex topics into more digestible chunks. This allows learners to focus on one concept at a time, which is more beneficial for knowledge retention. It also reduces costs and makes it easier to update and refresh the content as necessary.
A microlearning approach can be augmented with engagement-boosting techniques to keep employees engaged throughout the process. For example, training on new software could be accompanied by a quiz with points awarded for correct answers to test knowledge retention. This is an excellent way to make sure that employees are actually completing the training and aren’t simply skipping over it or waiting for a better opportunity to learn the new software.
2. Storytelling
Storytelling is a way to communicate information in narrative form. It’s a popular technique used by many fields and industries, including knowledge management, child and adult education, journalism and psychotherapy. It is also frequently employed in business, marketing and PR.
Storytellers can use different formats to convey their messages and make learning fun. These techniques can include images, text, video and sound. They can also employ improvisation, theatrics and embellishment to increase the engagement of their audiences.
The use of stories can help students connect with their courses, teachers and classmates. It can also make language learning more interesting, especially for Young Learners.
It can also inspire learners to take action. For example, in a recent class I taught, we used storytelling to connect three different courses and foster an interdisciplinary learning community. We included out-of-classroom experiences such as service learning and a field trip to hear immigrants tell their stories, and students developed personal connections with the content by listening to and telling stories. Learners remembered the new vocabulary and concepts better because they were part of a story.
3. Quizzes
Quizzes are commonly used in online training to test learners’ knowledge. However, a poorly-crafted quiz can create a stressful and pressure-laden experience for your employees. The key is to consider the purpose of the quiz and who will be taking it. Check out Purple Griffon Quizzes to learn more about the IT field.
Rather than just testing their knowledge, quizzes should be designed to be instructional as well. By using a variety of question formats, such as multiple-choice, true/false, fill in the blank, matching and essay questions, you can keep your learners engaged and increase their retention.
Also, allowing learners to retake the quiz is important for their learning experience. Not only will they be able to review the questions that they answered incorrectly, but they’ll also be able to see how much their understanding has improved.
Another tip is to include a “knowledge check” question at the end of each section or chapter. This allows learners to quickly figure out whether they understand the material and will encourage them to review it again if they need to. This will make it easier for them to pass the quiz.
4. Case studies
Case studies are a great way to get trainees to connect with the training material in a more practical and relevant manner. They are often used to teach trainees how to apply new concepts and techniques in real-life situations that can be related to their own responsibilities and work tasks.
A good case study will be able to stimulate trainees’ imagination and empathy with the main characters, as well as to make them think about how they would handle certain issues or solve problems. A good case study will also be able to show how specific best practices can produce tangible and long-term results.
A case study can be presented in a variety of ways, including traditional print stories, interactive web or social media content, data-heavy infographics and professionally shot videos. The key to creating a successful case study is in providing the right amount of detail to the trainees, as well as prompting them with the right questions to help guide their analysis. This will also encourage trainees to take their time with the case study and not rush through it or miss important details.
5. Simulations
Simulating an environment or situation is a useful learning technique. It can be as simple as asking students to practice first aid or CPR on a manikin, to more complex simulations that are used in healthcare education. For example, a simulator may replicate an operating room and allow trainees to learn how to operate equipment safely without putting real patients at risk.
A simulator can also be used to test out new systems or equipment without the risks of testing them in the real world, which can cost money. This is particularly important when changing existing processes or equipment as mistakes can be costly to correct.
Simulations are especially effective in environments where different variables can influence outcomes. For example, a supermarket simulator might take into account how a young businesswoman moves through the store differently than an older couple or a mother with children in tow. This can help to reflect and improve the design of a system that would be more efficient for customers and staff alike. Similarly, a flight simulator can be used to train pilots without the risk of flying aircraft.
6. Group discussions
Group discussions allow quieter students to have a voice (many students are afraid to speak up in class for fear of being thought of as’swots’ by their peers). They also provide an opportunity to explore different points of view on the same topic. A good discussion leader is non-directive and encourages the development of and expression of all ideas, even “odd” ones.
To get participants talking and discussing, assign groups to discuss a given question before the group report out to the entire class. This allows the groups to hone their responses and gives them time to think about their arguments before they have to present them to others.
Getting the most out of group discussion requires attentive listening and positive reinforcement. If a student is dominating the discussion, it’s up to the instructor or a designated group member to discourage him by redirecting the conversation to another person, introducing a new point of view, assigning him a role in the discussion that limits participation (e.g., discussion recorder), sitting him next to another student or positively reinforcing the contributions he makes.
7. Interactive exercises
Anything that requires a high degree of interactivity is likely to grab students’ attention. This kind of learning is often used to teach computer software, as well as other technical skills and knowledge.
Interactive exercises are a great way to engage students in the learning process by using different types of games, activities, and quizzes. These are not only fun, but they also allow for immediate feedback and help students correct their mistakes.
Some examples of interactive exercises include having students draw what they are learning or completing a jigsaw problem solving exercise. The latter is particularly effective in helping students understand how to solve complex problems in a group setting.
Another great thing about interactive exercises is that they can be easily changed to suit the needs of a particular class. For example, if the students are having trouble understanding something, the instructor can ask them to summarize the concept in two minutes or less and then deliver that summary to the class. This will help to highlight any areas where the students need extra support or training.
8. Problem-solving
Problem solving is the process of identifying and resolving issues. It can be used to tackle a variety of challenges, from everyday tasks in personal life to complex business and technical issues. Problem-solving skills can help you improve your performance in different situations and cope with change and uncertainty.
Problems can arise in personal and professional environments from time to time. Whether it is a broken doorknob, a computer virus or an unexpectedly high gas bill, they all need to be solved. People who are good at defining problems, generating solutions and implementing them have the basic skills for effective work in the modern workplace.
The first step in problem-solving is to identify the problem at hand. This step may involve assessing what is actually happening against what you expected to happen or it could be as simple as evaluating the results of an experiment. Once the problem has been identified, the next step is to list all possible solutions. Then, it is a matter of eliminating less desirable options and ordering the remaining ones by their merits.
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