How ‘DogFest’ reminded me of learning styles
What I loved to see was the agility classes. It is incredible to see the relationship between dog and owner and how they work together to go through the course of jumps, ropes, bridges and tunnels. But the interesting thing for me was the different styles and techniques each owner would use to suit their dog, which they had obviously built over time. Plus how they got the dog interested in the first place, either using toys or treats, they knew what worked for their particular pooch. For example, I saw different starting tactics, different command distances away from the dog (some doing a lot of running and keeping close and others not) or a squeaky toy or bone for encouragement. It highlighted that even though they were all there to do the same course at the same event they had all be taught slightly different, taught in way that suited the dog as a learner to get the best result.
When you think of workplace learning each learner has a different style and it is sometimes overlooked. On many occasions one course is rolled out to all employees, meaning they are faced with learning in the same way. In reality each of us learns differently and what works for one doesn’t always work for the other. After seeing all the doggies learning styles, I thought it was a great time to re-visit the typical learning styles of us humans. One of the most widely used models of learning styles is ‘The Index of Learning Styles’ developed by Dr Richard Felder and Barbara Soloman in the late 1980s, and based on a learning styles model developed by Dr Felder and Linda Silverman:
Although some people have a preferred and dominant learning style, many of us actually use a mix of all of these styles. And most commonly people find themselves using different styles to suit different situations, plus people can actually develop ability in less dominant styles so you certainly don’t find yourself in one style, so it certainly isn't the case of always sitting in the same bucket. But when asking most people they have an inclination of what their preferred learning style.
So with the learning that we deliver to employees can we say that the learning can accommodate or support different learning styles?
As learning professionals these seem obvious to have covered this right? But when it comes to curriculum design this is something that can be overlooked. In some organisation a 'one-size-fits-all' approach is taken when it comes to learning (granted in terms compliance this may HAVE to be the case, but surely not with other training?). Not recognising different learning needs and styles can be extremely demotivating for some people. Training content should stem from a desire to improve knowledge in any given area and should increase employee's values to the company and increase engagement, so we should think about varying the learning to suit learners needs.
Understanding learning styles are a great tool for us to understand how we can create and support environments in which everyone can learn from. The challenge is to deliver or curate a variety content that helps them learn effectively and to a good standard for the organisation.
Can you be confident that your curriculum supports a number of different learning styles or that your trainers are able to adapt to support different learning styles?
As learning professionals these seem obvious to have covered this right? But when it comes to curriculum design this is something that can be overlooked. In some organisation a 'one-size-fits-all' approach is taken when it comes to learning (granted in terms compliance this may HAVE to be the case, but surely not with other training?). Not recognising different learning needs and styles can be extremely demotivating for some people. Training content should stem from a desire to improve knowledge in any given area and should increase employee's values to the company and increase engagement, so we should think about varying the learning to suit learners needs.
Understanding learning styles are a great tool for us to understand how we can create and support environments in which everyone can learn from. The challenge is to deliver or curate a variety content that helps them learn effectively and to a good standard for the organisation.
Can you be confident that your curriculum supports a number of different learning styles or that your trainers are able to adapt to support different learning styles?
We have experience in curriculum transformation and how to build a curriculum that is aligned and impactful for your organisation. Speak to us or tweet us @LearningBoffins to find out more.
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