New Employee Orientation Training

Understanding How and Why People Learn

Adult learning theory serves as the basis for any effective training program, and a new employee orientation program should be no exception. The following assumptions underlie the andragogical model of learning, which Malcolm Knowles now calls a model of human learning (Knowles, 1990).

• Adults need self-direction. Adult learners want to take responsibility for their own lives, including the planning, implementing, and evaluating of their learning activities. From the beginning, the trainer needs to establish the training process as a collaborative effort. Throughout the process, the trainer and participant should be partners engaged in ongoing, two-way communication. This approach also provides the model ...