Methods of Learning
There are differences in the way people learn just as there are differences in the way they communicate. In order to improve your ability to teach or lead it’s essential for you to be aware of how you yourself learn and also how those around you do. Being cognizant of how people learn has an effect on staffing, training programs, project schedules, and the ability to meet deadlines.
Most people are visual learners, some are auditory learners, and there are those that are tactile, or kinesthetic learners.
- Visual learners think in pictures and learn best from visual displays.
- Auditory learners learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, and listening to what others have to say.
- Tactile/kinesthetic learners are people who learn best through a hands-on approach; moving, doing, and touching.
To be an effective trainer you need to be sure you understand these different learning styles. You can begin to recognize the differences by listening and observing responses to your attempts at communication. “I hear, and I imagine”; “I see, and I understand”; “I do, and I remember forever!”
- Some individuals may learn best by having someone communicate information verbally in a step-by-step manner.
- Others might learn best by observing someone demonstrating what needs to be done.
- Some individuals may learn best by experimenting on their own without the interference of anyone’s demonstration or verbal instruction.
When you're teaching, be sure you’re detailed and break down your instructions step-by-step. Clearly answer any questions without being sarcastic or cynical. Remember that there’s really no such thing as a stupid question!
If you find that the person you’re teaching isn’t learning or responding in the way you expect them to, then perhaps you need to try a different approach.
To be an effective leader you need to be an effective trainer. You should be able to recognize how the members of your team learn and be able to use different teaching styles that are suited to their individual needs.
The above content is extracted from Mike Holt's Leadership Skills textbook.
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Mike Holt is an author, businessman, educator, speaker, publisher and National Electrical Code? expert. He has written hundreds of electrical training books and articles, founded three successful businesses, and has taught thousands of electrical code seminars across the US and internationally. His company, Mike Holt Enterprises, has been serving the electrical industry for over 40 years, creating and publishing books, DVDs, online training and curriculum support for electrical trainers, students, organizations, and electrical professionals.
Mike has devoted his career to studying and understanding the National Electrical Code and finding the easiest, most direct way to share that knowledge with others. He has taught over 1,000 classes on over 40 different electrical-related subjects to tens of thousands of students. His knowledge of the subject matter, coupled with his dynamic and animated teaching style, has made him sought after from companies like Generac, IAEI, IBEW, ICBO, NECA, and Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, Boeing, Motorola, and AT&T. He is a contributing Editor for Electrical Construction and Maintenance Magazine (EC&M) and formerly Construction Editor to Electrical Design and Installation Magazine (EDI). His articles have been seen in CEE News, Electrical Contractor (EC) International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI News), The Electrical Distributor (TED) and Power Quality Magazine (PQ).