What makes Learner Centred Training better?

Learner-centered Training Design

If you’ve looked at the About Me page, you’ll have seen that I include Learner-Centered as one of my skills.

Let’s go into more details about what this type of training actually is.

What is Learner Centered?

A learner-centered approach views learners as active agents. They bring their own knowledge, past experiences, education, and ideas – and this impacts how they take on board new information and learn.

LearnUpon, https://www.learnupon.com/blog/learner-centered/

As a trainer, historically you were the ‘font of all knowledge’ or a ‘sage on the stage’ for computer stuff. But as computers and technology have become more integrated into our lives that has changed.

I know that I haven’t had to show someone how to use a mouse or the keyboard in many years.

Because of this change, we need to change our training style, it needs to take into account what people know – their skills and experience – not just what they don’t know.

‘Sage on the stage’ or ‘Guide on the side’

Training needs to put the learner front and centre.

If you (as a trainer) think you’re there to have all attention on you, to ‘show off’ your knowledge then my friend, I think you’re in the wrong business.

Putting it into Practice

In my opinion, I’m there to help.

Simple as that.

I know something (ie. how to perform a command), that you don’t know (yet), and my role is to help. In this case to explain how to use this feature.

In reality, I want to help you figure it out.

Rather than simply tell you, guide you along the path, until we reach the goal.

Sounds great – what does that really mean?

The method I use – is getting you do everything. I’m watching, ready to help, but you need to take the lead.

Asking questions along the way to help, to prompt as needed, or just to make you think.

If you can figure it out, with maybe a little prompting from me, then you should be able to figure it when I’m not there.

A water drop at the centre - make your learner the centre
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

Put your learners at the centre!

Next Steps

What should you think about and plan for with your computer coaching? How to Get the Most Out of Your Computer Coaching

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