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As a training instructor, I like to add new tools to my tool bag as often as possible. But, if I had to break successful learning into only three steps, here’s what I would focus on…
Buy-in from Your Learners
You need that buy-in right away! Let your learners know what’s in it for them (WIIFM). What will they gain as a result of attending the training session? When you focus on the benefits, it creates relevance and motivation. Without buy-in, there will be no performance improvement.
Engaging Activities Linked to Learning Objectives
Create a training session that’s fun and interesting, but also includes meaningful, purposeful presentation and application methods. Keep your training session interactive. Training isn’t a TED talk! Training includes the delivery of content and should be followed up with a practice activity that includes feedback opportunities. Your learners showed up to practice their jobs and improve their job performance, not listen to you talk about how to do their job.
Actionable Next Steps to Apply Learning on the Job
Learners should leave the training with a clear idea of how to apply their new knowledge and skills on the job. If learners aren’t clear about how to apply their learning, the training ends the second they walk out the door or close the virtual classroom software. Include an action planning activity during each training session so learners can document a running to-do list for when they return to work.
Ensure your next training includes these three ingredients: buy-in, engaging activities linked to the learning objectives, and action planning. This will set your trainees up for success!
There isn’t just one WIIFM technique for presenting benefits to learners—we cover seven in our Instructional Techniques for New Instructors workshop! Learn how to create a great climate for learning, guidelines for conducting meaningful reviews and summaries, and more.
2 Responses to “3 Steps to Successful Learning”
Thanks, Gwendolyn! Glad you found this helpful! I wish you continued progress in your online training endeavors!
The information provided in this blog is helpful in getting an online learning course created and what steps are needed to ensure learners are engaged, motivated, and encouraged to participate in their own learning experiences.