This Tip discusses the first of two immutable rules for a trainer: treat the learner respectfully, respecting the learner’s expertise.
“The best way to respect learners: Use techniques that research has proven to work. Help people reach their goals without wasting their time.” Cathy Moore
Treat the Learner Respectfully
There are only two immutable rules for a trainer.
The first is to treat the learner respectfully.
This includes recognizing and respecting the learner’s previous experience, current expertise, and pressing interests and needs.
The trainer can discover these through formal training needs assessments, informal e-mail queries, or introductory questions at the beginning of a session.
The workshop should be tailored to meet the learners’ needs.
This also includes respecting the learner’s time.
Ensure that there is good, relevant content and appropriate learning activities that build or strengthen necessary skills. Use learning activities that meet the needs of different learning preferences. And avoid wasting the learners’ time by teaching what the learner already knows.
The trainer must also treat the learner with respect when interacting during the session. This means that the trainer needs to be willing to recognize that the learners are thinking adults, treat learners with courtesy and respect, and actively listen to their feedback.
This also means that the training is participant-centered. The training is about the learner, not about the trainer. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for the learners to ask questions, to check their comprehension, and to practice their new learning in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
When a trainer treats the learner with respect, s/he establishes and maintains an environment that is conducive to and supportive of learning.
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
