The Learning Cycle
The Learning Process
Effective training and development depends upon understanding and applying the adult learning process. Traditionally learning has been synonymous with listening and watching, increasingly it has been found that individuals have a higher retention level if they have been actively involved in the process. This approach is likely to have involved discussing problems, thinking of solutions and practising skills.
This has been referred to as the learning cycle.
Experience
Any task, activity or experience provides the basis for learning
Planning Review
Agreeing what actions need The process of exploring views, to be taken in going forward opinions, feelings and thoughts about the way in which the experience was approached and implemented
Conclusions
The process of drawing conclusions from the discussions of the review
In applying this approach to learning, each stage needs to be given equal weight, thereby ensuring that the learning opportunities are fully capitalised upon. However, for some individuals their natural inclination is to short cut the cycle, perhaps moving straight from the experience into planning the next steps, without giving sufficient time and thought to how, why and what happened. Worse still, for many individuals they move from one task to another without examining the quality of learning that has taken place and therefore are unable to make use of it.
In summary, when working with adult learners, it is important to build into any training or development, a staged cycle of events which include the whole learning cycle.
Learning Styles : Questionnaire
Over the years you have probably developed learning “habits" that help you benefit more from some experiences than from others.