Posts

How Educators Can Accommodate Varied Learning Styles

pasted image 0 2

Those who are educators will know that there are varied different learning styles and that to reach the understanding of your whole group; you need to be able to tap into each style equally. Whether working as a teacher, learning assistant, tutor, or a training provider in a workplace setting, it’s vital to consider how you can accommodate different learning styles.

Auditory Based Learners

Some of those in your learning setting will be auditory based learners. For these individuals, it’s essential that you put in place plenty of instances whereby they can listen to themselves and others. Such methods could include listening to task directions instead of reading them. For educators to accommodate these learners, it’s also a good idea to implement the use of podcasts in your sessions. You can use recording devices to have learners record themselves retelling vital information and then play it back. Provide audiotapes of your classes or training sessions for the same reason. Ensure that you read your students the learning material aloud and also have them read it out loud to one another. When auditory based learners have too much to read in their heads, it’s difficult for them to take it all in.

Kinesthetic Based Learners

Those who are kinesthetic based learners will absorb information better with a hands-on approach. Kinesthetic learners prefer to hold or touch to learn new things. Kinesthetic learners enjoy the principle of jumping in and trying things first! To aid these kinds of learners, you can help them to understand an idea with the use of physical objects. You could also make use of art supplies and allow students to move around and act things out. School Furniture and its layout, can help you to accommodate these types of learners. You might be able to use your furniture in a way that creates a great environment for kinesthetic learners. For example, by positioning the chairs in a circular shape facing each other or creating an open space to stand, move or create art on the floor.

Visual Based Learners

Visual learners gain the best understanding when they can observe and see things. They will produce their best work when they can look at demonstrations, diagrams, videos or pictures. If these learners can watch someone else complete the task at hand first; they will be able to absorb the information and produce their own results quickly. To accommodate visual-based learners, it’s a good idea to use flashcards, photographs, maps, flowcharts or video content. You can ask students to act out demonstrations for each other to watch and in this way, you’ll be catering to kinesthetic learners too.

When you are providing a class or a training session, you’ll always want to incorporate methods that appeal to every different learning style. By doing so, you’ll extend your reach and allow everyone in the group to reach their full potential. When your training session or class is complete, you can always ask your students for feedback so that you can make improvements ongoing. Training and education in the workplace or classroom, is best achieved by catering to every individual personally.

Why It Is Important To Train Your Staff

Why It Is Important To Train Your Staff
Photo courtesy of Highways Agency

At the root of most companies’ success is the skill and knowledge of its staff. If your staff are experts in their respective roles, this will have a positive impact on the whole of your business. Well-trained staff get better results, are more efficient, and are happier in their jobs. With a knowledgeable workforce, customers will perceive your company as well-informed and trustworthy. This will help sustain your relationship with them. Further, by providing regular coaching for your personnel, you will give your business a competitive edge.

However, providing regular staff training can be a task that is easier said than done for some businesses. It can eat into valuable time for busy enterprises, and it can drain the limited resources of small businesses. But it is important to weigh this disruption with the benefits that training can produce. Training your staff will not only result in a knowledgeable organisation, it will also provide opportunities to improve and expand your business. Say you are a small business with a weak online presence. Training staff in online marketing may help you to improve this area of your business and, in turn, attract new customers.

Offering regular training opportunities to staff will go a long way to boost team morale and will prove that you have good leadership skills. Training assures employees that their role is important. It also gives them an opportunity to develop existing skills and interests and develop new expertise. Your staff will also appreciate the opportunity to do something different during their working day.

If you are considering establishing a training programme for your staff, it is a good idea to make a plan in the first instance. Be clear on which areas you want to provide training in and how much your business is willing to spend. The next step is to work out which training provider or providers you wish to supply the training to your staff. It is a good idea to look for coaching professionals who specialise in particular skill areas. For instance, Spearhead Training specialises in sales training, Dale Carnegie Training in leadership training, and New Horizons in project management training. Before selecting a provider, it is a good idea to ask other businesses and entrepreneurs in your network for a recommendation.

If you are worried about the effect that staff being away from the office for training purposes might have on the performance of your business, there are ways around this. You could encourage your staff to complete training courses via e-learning or distance learning. This means that staff can complete courses when there is a quiet time during the working week, or in their spare time. However, this way of providing training could result in courses being neglected or employees taking a very long time to complete them. If this is happening, it might be worth scheduling frequent time slots for training and making sure you follow up regularly with staff to monitor their progress.

Upskilling your staff should be one of your top priorities as a business. Although it can be expensive and time-consuming, it is clear that the benefits outweigh these challenges.