Use Learning Styles to Create Training That Sticks

Learning is more complete if we:

• Experience, feel and connect to our lives (Engage).
• Reflect deeply and learn what the experts have to share (Share).
• Take action based on our new understandings (Practice).
• Refine the learning to make it our own and generate results (Perform)

When we learn, we move through all parts of the learning process. Each part of the process connects directly to one of the questions learners seek to have answered: “why”, “what’, “how ” and ”if “.

In Engage, the Type 1 learners’ favourite part of the learning process, we ask and answer “Why.”

In Share, the Type 2 leaners’ favourite part of the learning process, we ask and answer “What.”

In Practice, the Type 3 learners’ favourite part of the learning process, we ask and answer ” How.”

In Perform, the Type 4 learners’ favourite part of the learning process, we ask and answer “If.”

For real learning transfer to take place, all four parts of the Learning Cycle must be addressed. We do this by focusing on answering the four core questions.These questions connect the learning styles. The answering of these questions leads the learner through the complete learning process.

The Type One Learner asks “Why.”

• Why is this important? To my work? To others?
• Why should I pay attention to this?
• Why is it of value?
• Why will I need to address this in my work?

The Type Two Learner asks ” What.”

• What do the experts think of this?
• What does this information show?
• What information is available to me?
• What are the identifiable patterns or trends?
• What data exists that supports this theory?

The Type Three Learner asks “How.”

• How does this work?
• How can I use this in my job?
• How will incorporating this in my life help me?

The Type Four Learner asks “If.”

• What if this is really true?
• What if I used this differently?
• If I did this, what might happen?
• What if there are even more possibilities?

– Bernice McCarthy