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6 Strategies That Help Make Learning Stick
Most jobs these days require ongoing training and learning retention is of top concern. As modern technology becomes available or just new information within the field itself, it’s important for employees to keep up with the changes. This requires new learning the recent technology or adapting your knowledge to incorporate the latest information learned. However, it is estimated that people forget 50-70% of what they learn, and as time goes on, what we remember continues to decrease. How can we help retain the latest information we learn on the job? Below are six strategies that can help you remember what you have learned and retain it longer.
1. Novelty is a key component in learning retention.
“Nobody wants to listen to a long-winded lecture where the speaker drones on in a monotone voice” says Jean McIntyre, a blogger at Assignment Help and Essay Services. If you want your employees’ minds to wander and forget what they learn that is how it happens. Brains, as it turns out, have a preference; they want something unexpected. Make the information new and exciting and our brains will pay attention better.
And we learn better as a result of new and exciting information. According to a study in 2006, a novel environment sparks curiosity and learning.
If you want your employees to remember what they are learning, then using novelty to your advantage is key. Figure out ways you can present the information in new and exciting ways that they will not expect. Can you make something into a game? How about an interesting visual aid? These are some examples that you can use to help promote a fresh look on the same information and help your employees learn and retain information for a longer time.
2.Use images to boost learning retention.
83% of the information that our brains process is visual data. That is a lot of information. Relying on just PowerPoint slides with words isn’t the best way to engage your employees and help them learn information. Including a strong visual that creates a lasting impression is necessary if you want them to learn and remember essential information. Our brains learn more if visuals are included in the learning.
3. Involve your employees in their own learning
We have a much easier time recalling information if we were actually involved in it in some way. Also, interestingly enough, our tactile and visual memory almost always beats out our auditory memory.
“This means that just talking to your employees and sharing latest information verbally isn’t enough to have them learn and remember it” explains Suzie Maxwell, a writer at Custom Writing and Revieweal. if you want your employees to listen, learn, and remember what they were told, then you need to get your employees actively involved in their learning. Some ways to do this include:
- Using interactive slides
- Asking them to do something related to the topic to help illustrate the current point you are making
- Asking questions and letting them answer
- Giving quizzes
All the above will get your employees involved in the training course and help promote learning retention.
4. Repetition is key but make it fun.
Learning retention something takes repetition. There is just no way around it. Most people cannot see or hear something once and remember it. Our brains don’t work like that. When teaching a topic in your elearning module, aim for touching on that concept at least three times. Once when you are introducing it, again when you give out a quiz, and then the final time when you are giving out a e-module recap of the entire section.
The reason behind repetition is that it helps move information into you employees’ long-term memories, where knowledge and skills become permanent.
5. Gamification
Our brains remember better if you can make new information new, exciting, and fun. There is no better way of doing this than gamifying some of your elearning course. In fact, it’s been said that an employees’ skill retention can increase by up to 40% when they find their work more enjoyable and fun.
Gamification is an effective way to get employees involved in their learning and boosts their memory of what was being taught. Also, gamification can boost your employees’ perceptions of themselves, resulting in increased motivation.
6. Microlearning
Information is much better processed by our brains in small, bite-sized bits. No one will remember all the important bits of information that was covered in a six-hour webinar. It’s too much information and chances are our, your employees’ minds will wander.
Breaking down information into tiny, digestible chunks is far more effective for learning and retention. Keep your elearning modules focused on three key takeaways maximum.
These are 6 important tips to help your employees learn and retain information in the workplace.
Copyright Emily Henry for TIGERS Success Series, Inc.
Emily Henry writes for Paper Fellows and Make My Assignment. She writes about memory and learning retention. Emily is also a tutor at Best Essay Services.
About TIGERS Success Series
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