As Training Professionals, we need to create training that shows learners that we care. Not just on February 14th, but every day, and with every training course we create.
Did you know Valentine’s Day started with the Romans?
Back in ancient Rome, St. Valentine performed secret marriages to spare husbands from having to go to war. For his disobedience, Valentine was executed on February 14 around the year 270 A.D. That’s why this day has become a significant celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
Make Your Learning Visually Appealing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, make your training beautiful in the eyes of your learners! Follow basic graphic design principles, such as understanding the psychology of color. The use of different colors communicates and evoke different emotions. Use video to make your eLearning appealing and engaging. It is said that we “eat with our eyes first” and I would say we judge the value of our training with our eyes first too!
Value Their Time – Keep it Short and To the Point. We are all super busy today. We don’t have time for the essentials, let alone the “nice to haves.” Know your learning objectives and teach to those objectives. Leave out all the extra stuff. You’ll find your courses are shorter and your learners are appreciative.
Be Relevant. Malcolm Knowles Adult Learning Theory suggests that “Adult Learners have a need to know WHY they need to know. Dr. Serhat Kurt states; “Adult learners retain information best when it is relevant and useful. Therefore, it is imperative for teachers to explain the reason for learning a specific skill. As they possess a mature mindset, adults are often better at creating solutions to real-life issues as opposed to simply memorizing information. Problem-solving, immediate application, and performance-based tasks are all pillars of effective instruction.”
When designing and developing your next training course – create training that shows learners you care – by tending to the visuals, keeping your courses short and to the point, and explain “why” the new knowledge will be helpful to your learners. Not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day. Now, pass the chocolate, will you please?
Author: Jim Hartigan, Managing Partner – Orgwide Custom Learning Solutions