Training The Trainers - Types Of Learners

meenakshi.pawar
Hi All,

This will be useful for people involved in imparting training.

Hope you all would like it.

Types Of learners



Whenever you are going to present to a group, you must consider who makes up the group and how best you can reach them. Sometimes you will present to a diverse group with different backgrounds and learning styles and sometimes to a homogeneous group of learners. However, whatever type of group it might be, your main objective is to involve them and to train them on your subject and for that it is imperative to know the different patters of behavior or styles of learners.

There are four major types of learners:

Activists

Activists involve themselves fully and without bias in new experiences. They enjoy the here and now and are happy to be dominated by immediate experiences. They are open-minded, not skeptical, and this tends to make them enthusiastic about anything new. Their philosophy is: "I'll try anything once". They tend to act first and consider the consequences afterwards. Their days are filled with activity. As soon as the excitement from one activity has died down they are busy looking for the next. They tend to thrive on the challenge of new experiences but are bored with implementation and longer term consolidation.

Reflectors

Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from many different perspectives. They collect data, both first hand and from others, and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to any conclusion. Their philosophy is to be cautious. They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possible angles and implications before making a move. They prefer to take a back seat in meetings and discussions. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get the drift of the discussion before making their own points. They tend to adopt a low profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant, unruffled air about them.



Theorists

Theorists adapt and integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories. They think problems through in a vertical, step by step, logical way. They tend to be perfectionists who won't rest easy until things are tidy and fit into a rational scheme. Questions they frequently ask are; "Does it make sense?" "How does this fit with that?" "What are the basic assumptions?" This is their 'mental set' and they rigidly reject anything that doesn't fit with it.

Pragmatists

Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work in practice. They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications. They are the sort of people who return from management courses brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice. They tend to be impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions. They are essentially practical, down to earth people who like making practical decisions and solving problems. They respond to problems and opportunities 'as a challenge'. Their philosophy is: "There is always a better way" and "If it works it's good".

Each style 'connects' with a stage on the continuous learning cycle.

• People with Activist preferences, with their 'I'll try anything once' approach, are well equipped for Experiencing.

• Finally, people with Pragmatist preferences, with their liking for things practical, are well equipped for Planning.

• People with Theorist preferences, with their need to tidy up and have answers', are well equipped for Concluding

• People with Reflector preferences, with their predilection for mulling over data, are well equipped for Reviewing

I have developed a module on "Train the Trainer". If anyone needs any help on the same, please feel free to write me.

Regards,

Meenakshi

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aruna_2304
Hi Meenakshi,
I am looking at a career as Soft skills trainer. If you have any material available please post it to [Login to view]. Any inputs in this regard will be of great help.
Thanks,
Aruna
S Kumar
Hi Meenakshi,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
However, I could not get you when you said ...
Can I use it in my organization by doing some customization work? Or it is a seperate module designed by you for the employees in your orgnization? Can you share this module with me?
Thanks.
Regards,
Shashank
[Login to view]
vaishali_nikam@hotmail.com
Dear Meenakshi,
Nice stuff. I always think there are three types of learners ...
1) Who are disturbed very much due to their hectic work and want break from day to day activities prefers to go for training.
2) Who really think that we should learn something new which will be beneficial for them for regular working
And
3) Such employees are there in the organization/ Dept. By whom the dept. itself is disturbed and Management wants some peace at office for some days, so send them for training.
Jokes apart,
Please do forward it to me, as I am also in the field of Training. It will useful to me.
Thanks n Regards,
Vaishali.
bhavna_behal
Hi Minakshi,
Can you please share with me the TTT model as I have to plan a day's training program on Group Dynamics. This will be of great help...
Regards,
Bhavna
smit
hey,
Its really informative. I have just joined the field of Training and herefore I shall be really obliged if you and rest of all cite members could sent me such training materials for my help on [Login to view].
Also i shall be grateful to receive your TTT module.
Thanks,
Regards,
Jinal Smit
jai04
Hi Meenakshi,
I have entered the field of training and would appreciate if you could share the material you have on 'train the trainer'. Request you to email it to me at [Login to view].
Thanks,
Jai
rashmi bhatia
Hi Meenakshi,
Came across lot of articles from you. They are very impressive in terms on content. Will appreciate if you could share the module of "Train the Trainer" module with me. My e mail id is [Login to view].
Thanks
Rashmi
gvprasanna11
Hey Meenakshi,
Thanks for the articles. Really it is good. If it is possible to send some details on soft skill training in pharm sales, I will be highly obliged.
Regards & Best wishes for New Year.
Prasanna Kumar.G.V
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