The development of the 10 high-impact teaching strategies is grounded in extensive educational research on high school students, and they have demonstrated significant success in enhancing learning outcomes. Their adaptation to training, however, requires a contextual shift — acknowledging the unique characteristics and needs of adult learners.
With their unique motivations, life experiences and practical goals, adults demand an educational approach distinct from the heavily guided, broad-based learning typical of younger students. By customizing these strategies to suit the adult learning context, learning leaders can unlock the potential for deeper, more meaningful learning that resonates with the professional and personal aspirations of adult learners, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement and lifelong learning.
10 High Impact Training Strategies
1. Setting Goals
Clear objectives in adult education serve as a key motivator, aligning training with personal and professional goals. Unlike in school settings, where learning objectives define what success looks like, in adult learning, they are directly tied to the learners’ goals, enhancing motivation and interest in the material.
Well-defined objectives stimulate cognitive engagement and offer a practical roadmap for achieving real-world competencies. Clearly outlining specific goals at the beginning of each session demonstrates how the training directly benefits job performance, thereby boosting motivation and engagement.
2. Structured Lessons
Providing structured lessons is particularly beneficial for adult learners who often balance multiple responsibilities. Such organization allows learners to navigate complex topics more efficiently and focus on the most relevant information and activities.
Maintaining a consistent structure in the program reduces cognitive load, enabling employees to focus on and find what is most useful to them. This structured approach simplifies information gathering and processing, aiding adults in effectively applying new knowledge in their work roles.
3. Explicit Teaching
Explicit teaching aids in understanding and mastering new skills by offering clear instructions and guidelines for how to accomplish the desired outcome. This approach reduces uncertainties, thereby boosting learners’ confidence.
Example: Providing call center employees with detailed call scripts they can lean on until they’re confident enough to personalize their message. This strategy ensures that agents are well-prepared, yet have the flexibility to adapt to different scenarios, enhancing their confidence in real-life applications.
4. Worked Examples
Worked examples bridge the gap between theory and practice. By illustrating how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world situations, these examples deepen understanding.
Example: Case studies of actual customer interactions to demonstrate key strategies. These practical illustrations help agents grasp complex ideas and see how they are applied in their day-to-day work.
5. Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning leverages the diverse experiences of learners, enhancing comprehension and retention. This approach, which involves sharing and discussing ideas, not only enriches understanding through multiple perspectives but also fosters team connections. Collaborative exercises can also be integral in integrating new employees into the team whilst deepening their grasp of key concepts.
6. Multiple Exposures
Repeated exposure to concepts at spaced intervals is crucial for long-term knowledge retention in all learners to combat Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve. This method ensures that learning is a continuous process, enabling deeper embedding of knowledge.
Example: After an in-depth introduction to a new topic, reinforce it with subsequent reviews and practical applications throughout the coming weeks and months.
7. Questioning
Effective questioning in adult learning deepens engagement by linking new concepts to learners’ existing professional experiences. This approach not only clarifies and reinforces new knowledge but also makes it more relevant and easier to recall.
Example: Encouraging learners to relate new topics to their past experiences, helping clarify concepts and dispel misconceptions simultaneously.
8. Feedback
Feedback is a cornerstone of adult education, pivotal for self-improvement and professional development. Constructive, specific feedback helps learners refine their skills and acknowledges their progress. In adult settings, such as our training programs, learners often provide valuable feedback to each other, leveraging their diverse experiences. This peer feedback, coupled with guidance from trainers, creates a rich environment for growth and continuous learning.
9. Metacognitive Strategies
Metacognitive strategies, such as self-analysis and reflection, are vital in adult learning for enhancing personalization and effectiveness of the learning process. These strategies enable learners to assess and adapt their learning methods, leading to more efficient and tailored learning experiences. Encourage participants to reflect on their learning approach, identifying areas for improvement, which promotes self-awareness and responsibility in their educational journey.
10. Differentiated Teaching
Differentiated teaching in adult education addresses the diverse needs and backgrounds of learners. It’s about customizing the educational experience to align with individual goals and preferences. This approach maximizes engagement and efficacy by adapting content and teaching methods to suit the specific requirements and aspirations of each adult learner.
Adapting these high-impact teaching strategies to adult education effectively meets the unique needs of mature learners, enhancing their learning journey. These tailored approaches yield more engaging, relevant and impactful experiences, fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. This method respects adult learners’ diverse backgrounds and goals, leading to effective skill acquisition and application in real-world scenarios and ultimately facilitating both personal and professional growth.
