Dynamic Training: Our Philosophy

Dynamic Training By Colleen Deitrich and Rick Deitrich March/April 2004, ALN Magazine                                                        [Print Version] Dynamic training, a desire of every laboratory manager, is often difficult and costly to achieve. The blended learning approach combines several types of training to meet the varied learning styles and abilities of laboratory personnel. By understanding individual learning styles and using a creative and interactive approach to training, those responsible for training can help enhance job performance and retention of specialized training needs. For more than twenty years, researchers have been studying how individuals learn. A leader in this field is Dr. Howard Gardner, Professor of Education at Harvard University. In his book, Frames of Mind, Gardner describes seven learning styles. By looking at these learning styles and applying them to training, we can enhance and meet the needs of those we are training in the laboratory animal field. Learning Styles When investigating each style, individuals will recognize their primary style of learning and often see a secondary style as well. The three most common styles of learning are: Visual/Spatial: Within the general population, this learning style accounts for 60% to 70% of all learners. This is why most of us respond to photos, graphics, and visual examples within our learning experience. Bodily/Kinesthetic: The second most popular style is the Bodily/Kinesthetic learner. This style of learning uses hands-on experience to enhance learning. These learners enjoy physical movement to experience new information. Verbal/Linguistic: Verbal/Linguistic learners are individuals who learn by listening and reading from a text. This type of learner responds well to the typical lecture style training. The other four learning styles are usually secondary for most people but can also be the primary learning style for some. They include: Inter-personal: This learner is an individual that enjoys contact with people and is stimulated by the interaction of a classroom setting. Logical/Mathematical: These individuals look at the world as a giant puzzle. Solving problems with a logical and mathematical view is the approach they most enjoy. Musical: This learning style is one we all experienced as young children. We often use songs and rhymes to teach young children primary lessons such as the ABC's. Also, those with teenagers in their household know there is usually music on while studying! Intra-personal: The final learning style is a style relished by individuals who enjoy self instruction at their own pace. The online courses offered by many colleges and universities meet the needs of these self-paced learners. They are usually highly organized individuals. By understanding the learning styles and incorporating them into your laboratory training program, you will ensure a balanced and dynamic program for all employees. Learning Techniques Along with understanding the learning styles, it is also important to combine varied learning techniques to create engaging training. As we look at retention of information, we find that individuals remember on average 20% of what we read, 30% of what we hear, 40% of what we see, 50% of what we say, 60% of what we do, and 90% of what we see, hear, say and do! This is why training must be learner centered, accommodate all the learning styles and it should actively involve the individual. In a workshop entitled, “Mission Possible: Creating Dynamic Training,” given at the 2002 National AALAS meeting, the attendees were sent a voluntary questionnaire prior to the meeting, asking their organization's specific training needs. Fifty percent of the attendees responded to the questionnaire, which gave some valuable information in developing learner centered material. One of the universal themes found through this survey, was that lack of time, limited funding, and keeping interest in the training were great obstacles in training development in many laboratory animal organizations. Another area that is important in developing effective training is to know and understand the diversity of your employees. Often cultural differences as well as language barriers play a large role in developing solid training. We must be thoughtful as we develop training, keeping in mind the backgrounds of our employees. Also, age differences can come into play when developing training. With the use of computers in training so common today, we must remember that some of our trainees will be considered "digital natives," those born into the computer age and others will be "digital immigrants," those who have acquired the technological savvy needed to use computer-based training. Both physical and learning challenges should be recognized and those challenges met so that all individuals can be successful during the training process. An interesting technique used in instructional design at the elementary and secondary education level is chunking. Chunking is the process of delivering small pieces of information, usually not more than five to seven minutes at a time. Trainees retain these small chunks more effectively. A good example of chunking we have all experienced is the typical television show, five minutes of programming and about two minutes of commercial break. This method helps keep our interest as well as allows us to retain the information given. Individuals are able to digest and store small chunks of information more efficiently than large amounts of information at one given time. Because most training in a laboratory setting is task oriented, there can be a problem with individuals learning a specific task and then over time, getting away from the proper method of completing that task. This is referred to as drift, a deviation from the appropriate method of completing a task. In a laboratory setting, drift can compromise the research and cost the organization a great deal of time and resources. Effective on-going training is the anchor to prevent drift and the possible negative consequences it could cause in the research underway. Incorporating all of these techniques into laboratory animal training will allow information to be delivered in an effective and enjoyable manner. The Blended Learning Approach The blended learning approach combines instructor-led training, computer-based training, hands-on training, and mentoring to deliver the most effective program that meets the needs of all learners. These four methods of training, when combined, will help you meet all your employee's needs in a dynamic way. Instructor-Led training has been used effectively for many years within the laboratory field. To be effective, the trainer must begin by stating the objective of the training so that the learners understand from the beginning what learning outcomes are to be expected. The instructor must be learner centered, understanding the learning styles of the trainees and must actively involve the learners in the training process. Also, the training must be relevant and specific to the employee's daily tasks. Often, training is not specific which causes the trainees to lose interest. Finally, the learner must be responsible for the information delivered. Some type of assessment must be provided to ensure the information has been retained. This can be as simple as a class discussion or as formal as a written assessment. Hands-On training is sometimes referred to as guided practice. This is an important piece of the blended learning approach to training. By demonstrating with a hands-on experience, a trainer can preview a particular task before it is attempted by an employee. They can then review the same task to help reinforce the specific task and encourage practice of the task. Over-learning is practicing a task past the point of mastery to combat forgetting and improve internalization! This will help trainees retrieve information quickly and automatically when it is needed. Because training in the laboratory is usually task oriented and specific to each laboratory, hands-on training is critical. Computer-Based or Web-Based Online Training is a more recent and popular form of training. Two positive aspects of this type of training are the convenience of training and the ability to accommodate different learning styles. This allows trainees to learn at their own pace. With advances in training software and the ability to include digital photos, audio, video, and animation; dynamic training can be delivered over the intranet or internet. The interactivity of this type of training can be fun, interesting, and allows the trainee to review material easily. A learning management system (LMS) can be designed to track each employees training activity and include review questions to assess the effectiveness of the training. This type of training is well received by most people, but the "digital native," persons born into the computer age, seem to respond best to this type of training. Most individuals are comfortable with using computers and will even look at computer-based training as a fun and challenging change in their daily routine. Mentoring programs are often overlooked but can provide valuable training by allowing someone further along in a position to guide and help new or less experienced co-workers. Interestingly, mentoring encourages comradeship among colleagues by highlighting good qualities in people and can help trainees set goals. It also heightens creativity by putting two minds together, builds harmony in relationships, and honors experienced employees. Incorporating a mentoring program into the laboratory setting builds a team attitude as well as meeting specific training needs. A Winning Combination The Blended Learning approach meshes all four of these training programs together to meet the needs of all learners and improve the effectiveness of your training program. Integration of multimedia, which includes graphics, audio, photography, and video, into instructor-led, computer-based and hands-on training will stimulate learners and help retention of the information delivered. Add to that an effective mentoring program, which builds up staff confidence as well as strengthens your laboratory team, and you will have a winning combination.