Training Tip: Train with Style
Training Program Manager, Education and Development
Picture this scene. It’s a week before Christmas, and you need to put together a bicycle that’s the top item on the wish list of a favorite little boy you know. Which of the following ways would you choose to proceed with the needed assembly:
- Read and follow the directions and illustrations that came with the bike?
- Have your neighbor who recently assembled a bike talk you through the process?
- Ignore any provided instructions and figure it out as you go?
The response you chose could be an indicator of your preferred learning style. Since not all people learn in exactly the same way, each of us has a preferred learning style that facilitates our learning when it’s used.
which type of learner are you?
In the scene suggested above, the goal was to learn how to assemble a bicycle. If you chose to learn how to do that by reading and following the directions that came with the bike, you’re probably a visual learner. Choosing to have a neighbor talk you through the process means that your preferred learning style is most likely auditory. If you’d prefer to figure out the assembly process as you go, then chances are that you’re a kinesthetic hands-on learner.
As this example indicates, adult learners, like learners of all ages, have a variety of learning styles. Current estimates on the number of learning styles varies, but by addressing three basic learning styles in your training—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic or hands-on—you will meet the needs of virtually every learner you train.
visual learners
Visual learners, of course, learn best by seeing. Use things like handouts, pictures, illustrations, PowerPoint presentations, board work, and demonstrations to meet the needs of visual learners.
auditory learners
Auditory learners, as the name indicates, learn best by hearing. Suggested approaches to meet their learning needs include discussions, lectures, videos, question-and-answer sessions, audio tapes, and guest speakers.
kinesthetic learners
Kinesthetic learners prefer a hands-on approach to learning. Incorporate role plays, writing, drawing, simulations, hands-on practice, and games to successfully train them.
While each of us has a preferred learning style that works best for us, most of us are actually a blend of several styles in one way or another. What that means to you as a trainer is that you need to include a variety of approaches in your training so that you satisfy the differing learning needs of the learners. By including something for the eye, the ear, and the hand, you will train with a style that truly facilitates learning for everyone.
One Minute Manager
One minute assessment
Having trouble discovering a quick method to assess learning during a training session? Try using the “one minute assessment.” A “one-minute assessment” may be defined as a very short (1 minute or less), in-class writing activity which prompts students to reflect on the lesson, while providing the instructor with useful feedback on what students are learning in class.
assessment questions
To carry out this activity, distribute a 4x6 index card to each training participant. Then ask two questions, one to be answered on each side of the card:
1) What was the most important concept you learned in class today?
2) What was the “muddiest” or most confusing concept covered in today’s class?
From the information given in the answers, you can assess how the content of the training is being assimilated and what concepts may need additional coverage.
when to use
The “one minute assessment” may be used at several junctures during a course—after a particularly challenging session, during a break in a one-session workshop, or at the end of the day for a multi-session workshop.
resources
More information about this and other assessment techniques can be found in a book that is available at the Marriott Library on campus: Cross, K. P., & Angelo, T. A. (1988). Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for Faculty. Ann Arbor, MI: National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning.
Mobile Knowledge: Training with iTunes U
By Tony Sams, Computer Professional, Marriott Library
iTUNES TECHNOLOGY
With the widespread use of iTunes technology, there’s a good chance that you’ve used iTunes to access music, movies, or TV shows. What you may not know about iTunes, though, is that there is an iTunes U free service offered to colleges and universities. Apple Inc. provides the service based on the premise that “users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows.”
TRAINING ON iTUNES U
Soon after the introduction of the University of Utah on iTunes U and its subsequent adoption campus wide, it became apparent that a series of iTunes U training classes needed to be developed. In response to that need, Marriott Library developed training for a campus wide outreach program that is offered through in-class workshops, online classes, or a combination of both.
They have also developed a series of short tutorials delivered through iTunes U that include:
- How to get setup with iTunes U (upload content)
- How to create podcasts (from simple audio to enhanced podcasting with chapter markers with QuickTime Pro)
- Podcasting 101
SUCCESS STORIES
Two professors who attended in-class workshops subsequently viewed the online tutorials in hopes of creating content for their classes on iTunes U. The instructors came from different operating systems backgrounds—one Mac user and one Windows user. The Mac user chose to use a Mac-only application called Profcast to create online content, while the other instructor used QuickTime Pro. Both instructors were very successful in creating, adding, and editing content on iTunes U for their respective classes.
The other software programs that can be used to create content include ScreenFlow, by VaraSoftware, QuickTime Pro v.7, Garageband v.3, and PodcastProducer (server 10.5) from Apple, and Snapz Pro v.2, from Ambrosia Software.
MOBILE TRAINING AND LEARNING
Apple’s motto with iTunes U is “Sync, Share, Learn” indicating that training possibilities are virtually endless once opened up to mobile learning. With mobile training and learning, learners are able to download instruction using an iPod and then watch the downloaded instruction at their convenience.
iTUNES U INFORMATION
If you would like to view a sample iTunes U video, click on the following link:
See sample video about iTunes U
If you would like more information about iTunes U, the following people in the Multimedia Center at Marriott Library would be happy to help you:
Tony Sams 585-9811 |
Richard Glaser 585-8016 |
Matt Irsik 585-9812 |
YouTube for Training
Are you interested in sharing training videos? Would you like to build community and expand your training audience? Do you wonder how many people are really viewing your materials? YouTube provided a solution for UEN Professional Development to accomplish these three goals. We easily registered for one account for the organization and shared the username/password among several instructors.
benefits of a youtube account
The basic account is free and any individual can obtain one. Google lists the following benefits of having your own account:
- Search and browse millions of community and partner videos
- Comment, rate, and make video responses to your favorite videos
- Upload and share your videos with millions of other users
- Save your favorite videos to watch and share later
youtube channel
With every account, YouTube provides a “channel”. This is the home page or landing page for the general public. Pages are customized by changing the background color, adding your own logo, creating “playlists” to sort and organize your uploaded videos, etc.
The best thing about a channel is that others browsing YouTube can ask to subscribe to your channel. Then, whenever they log in to their account they will see all of your new videos. As an organization, your channel can also subscribe to other “like-minded” channels and create a network of related video content. For example, you can visit http://www.youtube.com/user/UENVideo to see what UEN has done and then subscribe if you want to keep up with education technology content.
free unlimited videos
Finally, with an account you get the ability to upload all the videos you want and store them at YouTube at no cost. You can even embed your channel in an existing organization website so your videos play on your own website, but you don’t have to host them. Be sure to tag your videos with relevant and popular key words in order to attract the most viewers.
size limitation of videos
The main difficulty UEN has had is that the maximum size per video is ten minutes or one gigabyte. Most of our training videos are thirty minutes. We have applied to make our channel part of YouTube’s non-profit program, which allows for larger video uploads, and are currently awaiting acceptance.
The most exciting result for UEN so far is that after only three weeks, a ten-minute sample of video on Photoshop Elements has already been viewed 423 times! Imagine… with no cost and just a little tech-savvy, your organization could be the next YouTube phenomenon!
Copyright Tips for Training and Teaching
By Allyson Mower, Scholarly Communication & Copyright Librarian, Marriott Library
You probably confront questions in your teaching about the legitimate use of material in your classroom that others besides yourself or your students have created. This includes scholarly articles, videos, images, music, etc. Determining what you can or cannot use in your classroom can be time-consuming and confusing. As some have put it, "lack of clear-cut answers may translate into delays, doubts, fear of liability, and decisions to err on the side of caution and non-use" (Know Your Copy Rights, ARL Brochure, 2007).
copyright guideline
The Association of Research Libraries has mapped out the following easy-to-follow guideline about using works in your training and teaching. If you would like more detailed answers, the full brochure is available at http://www.knowyourcopyrights.org/resourcesfac/kycrbrochure.shtml.
You can also contact Allyson Mower, Scholarly Communications & Copyright Librarian, at allyson.mower@utah.edu or 585-5458 for assistance.
Introducing Jean Shipman, the New Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library Director
Hello!! As the new director of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, I am delighted to join a team of talented educators and librarians! In fact, the main reason I became a librarian was the opportunity it provides to constantly learn new things, which dovetails nicely with the mission of the U Training Consortium. The consortium exists to assist you with your professional development needs! The Eccles librarians are nationally renowned for their information expertise. Consider them your personal learning coaches—I can’t wait to learn a lot from them myself! You can, too, by just contacting them for a personal consultation (http://library.med.utah.edu/lib/contact.php) or attending one of the many classes they offer (http://registration.med.utah.edu/classes.cfm). No matter how much we know about our fields, there is always something more to learn! jean's work experienceBy way of introduction, I most recently served as director of the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences and associate university librarian, VCU Libraries, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA from 2000-2008. Prior to living on the east coast, I was the associate director for information resources at the University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries in Seattle, WA. Otherwise I have worked in the Baltimore, Maryland area, with stints at the University of Maryland (Southeastern/Atlantic Regional Medical Library of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine), as a hospital librarian at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and as an academic librarian at the Johns Hopkins University (all from 1980-1993). So as you can tell, my experience is varied geographically as well as by type of library position. But throughout my career, I have indeed succeeded by being willing to learn new things, especially technologies, and by knowing how to obtain vital information when needed— in short, by being a life-long learner. I am eager to get to know many of you personally and look forward to working with such a great group of individuals who share the desire to advance their personal knowledge as well as that of their colleagues. Please do stop by the library and introduce yourself—or stop me in the halls—I look forward to meeting you! |
UTC Booth at EAD Fun and Memorable
The UTC booth at Employee Appreciation Day received hundreds of visitors. The booth gave the UTC the chance to talk to hundreds of University employees about the UTC and the training that our member departments can provide.
giveaway winners
Visitors were excited about the chance to win round trip tickets to the West Coast, courtesy of UTC member Kori Dehaan from Financial and Business Services. The winner of those tickets had never won anything in her life and was very excited. UTC member Melanie Hawks from the Marriott Library was able to get three books donated along with a full color print from a 17th century manuscript, Harmonia Macrocosmica. The winner of the print has worked for the university for several years and had never done anything to decorate her work area, so she was very grateful to win something that would brighten up her environment and that she could enjoy every day.
contributors
The UTC wants to recognize and thank Financial and Business Services, the Marriott Library, Continuing Education, the Eccles Health Sciences Library, and Human Resources for donating prizes and handouts. We would also like to thank those UTC members who volunteered at the booth.
It was really fun to talk to people that came by the booth and give them a chuckle as we asked them trivia questions from cards that had the answers on the back! The UTC booth was fun and memorable for both the visitors and the volunteers.