Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/what-a-story!-sharing-stories-for-effective-learning-and-training/5018155/
A really true story:Ever been to a training session in which participants were as eager to attend as a visit to the dentist? Have you walked into a training room and people are scrambling to sit as close to the door as possible? Have you seen people resigned to a training fate worse than torture? No! Not that topic again!
Recently I was asked to do a number of sessions on early mathematics for teachers in preschool settings. Mathematics is one of those terms that suggest unbalanced checkbooks and recurring algebra nightmares. People walked in expecting their old high school teacher, ready to write the Pythagorean formula on a dusty blackboard. The atmosphere and anticipation for the session was similar to the last class period on a Friday at Transylvania High. Get me out of here!
Checking out the theories:
Adult learning theory and practice supports the common sense approach that lasting learning takes place when the learners have both a cognitive and emotional experience with the topic at hand. While learning is a complex individual process, it needs to be meaningful, familiar, and challenging in order for each person to learn.
Adults come to a training session with a set of motivational notions ...