Why and What of Training

PRINCIPLES

Adults are greatly influenced by peer groups. So, it is all the more important that the programme that is offered will not attract criticism and opposition from the peer group of the trainees.

Adults have prejudices. Beware of them.

Adults by nature are conservative and cautious. However, this does not mean that you need not be innovative. The only caution is to watch these tendencies.

Adults learn best when actively involved in all the stages of learning.

Learning is a continuous and life-long process.

One learns through experiencing, observing and reflecting, theorizing and finally testing the theories whether they work or not.

A person must sense in some way that he lacks something that he needs. Then, he should understand precisely that which will satisfy his needs. It is not enough that he feels the need, but should really want to fulfill that need and decide to obtain that knowledge, skill, habit or ability. Further, he should act to see that this need is fulfilled and continue to act till he reaches that goal.

The key points about adult learning are:

Time, relationship, user relevance, user urgency, user friendliness, attention span, peer group, previous experience, prejudices, humour, fear of change, pain and pleasure, incentives, loss of sense of discovery and risks.   

The key points reveal the adult learning principles you have to take care of.

Keep participants active.

Get feedback.

Help the participants understand the meaning of the new knowledge or a skill.

Relate training to their profession and work experiences

As a trainer, you should aim at the participants doing: