Applying The Laws of Adult Learning (Part 1)

My sincere apologies for the long silence due to work and personal commitment. Anyway, it is good to be back.

In the previous 2 postings, we have discussed the laws of adult learning. Today, let us discuss how to apply them in real class room or training room situation. I have been applying the laws since day 1 of becoming a professional trainer. They helped me to create a safe, conducive and interactive sessions. 

So, how to apply the laws?

1. Law of the Big Picture - We need to provide adults learners with an overview of the lessons to be learned at the early part of the session as this will help them seeing the big picture of the content.

2. Law of Application - We need to help adults learners 'see' how the content can be used and applied in their work to help them better understand and stay interested in the learning process.

3. Law of Repetition - Repetition is the mother of all learning. Master Trainer, Bob Pike used to say that we need to revisit key learning points at least 6 times in a 1 day session. Through repetition, adults learners will be able to remember key learning points a long time thus increasing the chances they will apply them.

4. Law of Fun - Trainers need to create a fun learning environment where learners feel safe to interact with the trainers, materials and one another. using stories, games and other interactive methods will greatly enhance learning.

5. Law of Sequence - To help adult learners follow the session, trainers need to sequence their content in a logical manner with small chunks of delivery at one time. Personally, I use the 90/20/6 Rule created by Bob Pike ie 90 minute session (max) at a stretch, lecture for 20 minutes per block and get them moving every 6 minutes (via Q&A, discussion, etc).

6. Law of Interaction - Adults bring tons of experience in training rooms and good trainers know how to tap into these. Allow them to interact with one another using case studies, role plays, presentations, small group activities and others.

7. Law of Intervals - Bob Pike advised that for adults, 90 minutes of learning at one stretch is the max. Allow them time to absorb key learning points and interact with others. For me personally, for 1 hour of session, I give them 10 minutes of break to absorb, interact and refresh themselves.

In part 2, we will discuss how to apply the remaining laws of adult learning.          

The Laws of Learning (Part 2)

In part 1 last January, we learned about the laws of adult learning that can help us to plan and conduct impactful sessions with our adult learners. Today, let us explore some more adult learning laws to help us become a better trainer.

1. The Law of Experience

Adults learn best if we can relate and tap their experience in the learning process. Adults bring vast and rich experience into the class and we as trainers need to capitalize on this.

2. The Law of Whole Brain Communication

When presenting adult learning sessions, we need to tap on both the left brain and the right one. Left brain which focuses on logic and right brain on feelings, intuition and creativity can help adults learn better if trainers are able to tap on them.

3. The Law of Whole Senses

There are 3 main ways adults receive information when learning namely, via visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Trainer need to use all these senses to create rich learning experience for adults.

4. The Law of Forgetting

After 30 days, adult will forget 90% of what they have learned (based on Prof Ebbinghaus's research). As trainers, we need to take this into consideration when designing training material and activities.

5. The Laws of Familiarity

In presenting adult learning, trainers need to relate the content to things that learners are familiar of. As such, it is important for trainers to know the background of learners such as education, socio-economy, language and others.

6. The Laws of Safety

Activities designed by trainers need to be comfortable and 'safe' for adult learners to perform. Issues such as learners' readiness, suitability of activities against gender and religious background need to be considered as well.

7. The Law of Recall

Trainers need to design and deliver training materials that are easy for adult learners to understand and remember. Several tools can be used to achieve this.

In our next discussion, we will discuss how to apply these rules to make our session an impactful ones. 

   

The Laws of Learning (Part 1)

As a trainer that involves in adult learning, I have formulated several 'laws' that helped me to plan, prepare and deliver my sessions. Some of them are mentioned by the father of adult learning, Malcolm Knowles in his Adult Learning Theory (or better known as Androgogy). Maybe they can be of help to you too.

1. The Law of the Big Picture : Learners need to be informed of the overview of the session. This needs to be done at the early stage to provide an overall map of the lessons.

2. The Law of Application : As trainers, we need to emphasize how the things being taught can be applied in real life situation. Adult learners like to link their current learning with their real work.

3. The Law of Repetition : Adult learners learn by repetition. As trainers we need to constantly revisit previous lesson or key ideas to help adult learners remember them. This can be done by strategically plan short, interactive revision sessions in between modules.

4. The Law of Fun : Fun is a powerful tool to deliver learning. Fun is not funny. Fun here means that learners are interested to discover and discuss learning points with one another. When learners have fun, they are more open to learning and interaction with one another.

5. The Law of Sequence : Learning materials and learning presentations need to have logical sequence. Opening, body and closing are the common sequence when preparing and delivering lessons to adults. This help learners to grasp the concepts and application better.

6. The Law of Interaction : In preparing and delivering learning sessions, learners need to interact with the trainers, the materials and one another. Activities such as interactive lectures with Q&A, writing of notes and discussion are examples of application of this law.

7. The Law of Intervals : Latest research in learning suggests that adults can concentrate on one sitting of learning for no more than 90 minutes. As such, when designing and delivering modules, we need to ensure each session is less than 90 minutes long.

In part 2, we shall continue with several more Laws of Learning and how to apply them to make our sessions more impactful especially to our adult learners.