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Why does our training
work?
With over 6 years of experience in learning environments we have
found that our methods of learning are more effective than competing
learning solutions, classroom methods, and those CBT (Computer Based
Training) methods. Contrary to popular belief, there is only ONE
way to learn a new skill - by doing it!
How
NOT to learn a new skill....
1. Not by attending a 3 day seminar. Those seminars are only
good for time off work. Once you get home, you'll have some notes
- and then you'll have to start learning!
2. Not from a Lecture - To
learn a new skill, you need to "learn how to learn"
that skill. This cannot be accomplished if a trainer is telling
you how to do each step. You must discover some steps on your own
to gain confidence and competence. Most "hands on" classroom
training sessions are just follow the leader lectures.
3. Not by passively reading
text in a book or in standard online materials - Books and standard
online materials can be good references, but you must create and
experiment to learn a skill.
4. Not by watching flash animations
and playing with simulations - There is NO such thing as passively
learning a new skill. You have to do the real thing - to gain
the skill!
The basics of learning
a new skill....
1. Get past the initial apprehension right away. - The best
way to get over the initial apprehension of learning something new
is to get started, by trying some experiments right away.
2. Avoid unrelated technical
problems - Unrelated Technical problems, such as installing and
configuring software, can be the biggest threat to learning a new
skill.
3. Learn in your own voice
- You must work through your own ideas and listen to yourself in
order to learn and to take ownership of your new skill. For this
reason, avoid lengthy video or audio streaming, and keep spurious
animated demonstrations to minimal (these usually have the effect
of taking the learning away from the student).
4. Take your time. Learning
takes time - rushing through can only have negative effects on learning.
By taking your time, you'll take the time to try new things and
discover more than you or we ever imagined.
5. Try to overcome difficulties
on your own. Going from misunderstanding to understanding on your
own is the best process of learning. This is how you "learn
how to learn".
6. Do REAL projects - real
and live projects as opposed to simulated ones have more meaning
and are more rewarding to complete. They also insure that you learn
what is involved in real world situations.
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