The Trainer's Handbook

Chapter 3Training Styles

Learning Outcomes

In this chapter, you will learn

• To identify your own training-style preference
• To identify ways to increase your style flexibility
• To distinguish between learner-centered and information-centered training
• To define your own role in the success of the training experience

Trainer Characteristics and Competencies

Recall your best and worst learning experiences from any time in your life (elementary school, high school, college, organizations, work). For each experience, briefly describe the highlights and list what factors made that experience good or bad.

1. Description of Good Experience:
2. Factors That Made It Good:
3. Description of Bad Experience:
4. Factors That Made It Bad:

Think about your feelings and reactions to both the good and bad experiences. How effective was the learning experience? To what degree did the training or learning experience contribute to your success?

During discussions of these questions in train-the-trainer programs, participants are quick to respond that the single most important factor in the success or failure of the learning experience was the instructor. People often share that the positive experiences had a positive impact on their success in life and how the negative experiences created major obstacles to further education and training. In some cases, the negative experience prevented them from seeking or taking advantage of opportunities that could have led to career advancement.

Are You Trainer ...