Learning Methods A to Z

Posted byDan Steer 2 Comments on Learning Methods A to Z

There are SO many ways to approach learning. This post is the beginning of a learning methods A to Z, based on ideas I have been collecting and discussing in various conferences and workshops… If you have ideas, please comment and I will add them!

A

  • Agenda tracking (time-tracking – see when you are most productive etc..)
  • Allowing mistakes
  • Asking questions
  • Assessment

B

C

  • Case Studies
  • Challenge (something to stretch you out of your comfort zone)
  • Coaching (defined here as “helping other people to find their own answers to their own questions” – in contrast to “mentoring”)
  • Collaboration (just working together leads to learning too!)
  • Conferences
  • Conversation
  • Curating content (maybe using tools like Paper.Li or Pearltrees)

D

  • Digital libraries, virtual bookshelf (like Shelfari.com)
  • Discussion
  • Documents (templates, company processes)

E

  • e-Learning
  • Emailing (communication updates, tips and tricks…)
  • Exercise (eg security drills, fire alarms)
  • Experience
  • Evaluation (thus improving self-knowledge…)

F

G

H

I

  • InfoGraphics (like this one.. you can stick them on walls like posters, email or share via SoMe sites…)
  • Info Sessions (basic knowledge sharing sessions)
  • “In my shoes” (another name for “job rotation“)
  • Innovation (maybe using a tool like “IdeaScale“)
  • Internet
  • Intervision (like “supervision”, but between peers)
  • Intranet

J

  • Job-aids (eg posters, quick reference guides, cheatsheets and other things on or near the place of work to remind processes or important behaviours)
  • Job rotation
  • Job shadowing
  • Job sharing

K

  • Knowledge pool (or competence matrix (per person))
  • Knowledge management
  • Knowledge sharing sessions (also known as “info sessions”)

L

  • Language Lunches (native speakers of one target language eat lunch with non-native speakers in order to improve language skills)
  • Learning Narration
  • Learning Tracking
  • Lecture
  • “Lunch and Learn”

M

  • Meetings
  • Member associations
  • Mentoring (defined here as “giving people expert answers to their questions” – in contrast to “Coaching“)
  • (Meeting) Minutes
  • MOOC – get some MOOC tips here, courtesy of @elearningPosts
  • Mystery caller (common method in retail/call-centre environment for assessing service and (later) giving feedback)

N

  • Networking
  • Note-making; note-taking (maybe done socially by a group of people)

O

  • Observation
  • Onboarding
  • On-the-Job training
  • Outplacement

P

    • “Parrainage” (when joining a company, a “godfather” is assigned to a new joiner who can tell you simple things like, for example, where the photocopier is or who to speak to about your car expenses…)
    • Peer Coaching (like Coaching, but done in groups between people in similar functions or levels)
    • Personal Knowledge Management
    • Podcast
    • Portfolio sharing – (eg Dribbble)
    • Posters
    • Practice
    • Presentations (which might be shared online using tools like SlideShare or Prezi)
    • Problem solving

Q

R

S

  • Satisfaction Surveys
  • Search engines
  • Self-reflection
  • Serious Games
  • Simulations
  • Social Learning (learning that takes place with other people, via connectivity and sharing)
  • Social Media (web 2.0 sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
  • Social Networking (often done using “social media”, a connected network of people who share and work together)
  • Scrum Meetings
  • Supervision

T

  • Team Building Events
  • Teaching
  • Television
  • Thinking
  • Time out
  • Tinkering (thanks @rotanarotana for this idea)
  • Trade magazines
  • Traineeship
  • Training
  • Trial and Error

U

V

  • Video (eg YouTube or other platforms as used, for example, in “BT Dare to Share“)
  • Virtual reality 5platforms like, for example, “”Second Life“)

W

X

Y

Z

Thanks for reading!

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Published by Dan Steer

For the last 17 years, I have been helping businesses and individuals to achieve their goals through delivery of tailor-made learning and development initiatives. Most of the time, I deliver training, coach individuals, facilitate brainstorming sessions, round-table meetings and workshops. As a consultant, I help my clients to promote and profit from the infinite learning opportunities within and without their own organisation, drawing on my L+D management experience, strategic approach and creativity, As a speaker, I inspire through story, humour and pertinent little bits of theory. I believe that the world would be a better place if people were happily working on their mission with competence and alignment to personal values. As a freelance worker since 2008, I have helped more than 11000 individuals to improve their presentation, communication, commercial, leadership and negotiation skills. I confront people with their own behaviour and convictions, facilitating and giving pertinent feedback and clear ideas on where to continue good work and improve. I seek to satisfy my clients with creative and to-the-point solutions… …and I make music, but no-one pays me much for it yet :-) First single here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ShlY95X4E

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