In the Connecting Thread series, our trainers share inspiring lightbulb moments or experiences. Prevention consultant and fire safety expert Wim Van Den Eede learned about Kolb’s learning cycle and immediately put his insights into practice.
We all know the traditional schoolroom way, where someone gives the explanation and the rest have to pay attention. But that is far from how everyone learns best. Variety is necessary to teach someone something."
“I have been teaching for Mensura for over 20 years, but learning more myself is always useful. A while ago, for instance, I attended the ‘Train the trainer’ course at Mensura. During that training session, Kolb’s learning method was discussed. That made me realise that I could make some adjustments to my own material to make it interesting for all participants. Because not everyone learns in the same way, and so variety in our training could well be the key to making it interesting for everyone.”
David Kolb is an American learning psychologist and educator. In his learning cycle, he defines four learning styles: from abstract to concrete and from active to reflective. The four profiles he links to these are thinkers, dreamers, doers, and decision-makers.
“We all know the traditional schoolroom way, where someone gives the explanation and the rest have to pay attention. But that is far from how everyone learns best. Variety is necessary to teach someone something.”
“I therefore started working with Kolb’s info, and tried to introduce this into the lessons of the level 3 Prevention Adviser course:
I also vary the exercises: sometimes, the participants work alone, sometimes in pairs, and occasionally, they are put in groups. This is sometimes with preparation (reflection time), or just without explanation beforehand.
We also do two role plays on the topic of accidents. One where I play the role of employer, presenting participants with all kinds of possible prevention measures as a prevention adviser. The other is an accident investigation, with witnesses and investigators. You learn a lot from that because practice isn’t the same as theory, after all.”
“With Kolb in mind, I think there is already ample variation in training. Soon; we will also put more effort into blended learning using virtual reality glasses. I will try to apply the different learning styles there too.”
Tip: Use the filter on the training range page to select your preferred forms of learning.
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