# Looking at the Content:
### Training Strategies

Strategies should be chosen according to whether the specific learning objective is related primarily to the development of knowledge, skills, or attitudes (see chart below). Activities should also align with the characteristics and learning preferences of the learner audience, training schedule, experience of the trainer, etc. etc.
Examples of training strategies include:
| Type of activity | Best for Knowledge (K), Skills (S), or Attitudes (A) |
| General approach: Direct Instruction ||
| Lecture or presentation | K, S |
| Demonstrations | S |
| Videos | K, S |
| General approach: Interactive Instruction ||
| Discussions, conferencing, interviews | K, A |
| Role Plays | A, S |
| Problem Solving | S |
| Brainstorming | K, A |
| Tutorial Groups | K, S, A |
| Question-and-answer sessions | K |
| General approach: Independent Study ||
| Essays, Journals, Reports | K, S |
| Computer Assisted Instruction | K, S |
| Homework | K, S, A |
| Research Projects | K, S |
| General approach: Experiential Learning ||
| Conducting Experiments | S |
| Field Trips, Field Observations | S, A |
| Simulations and games | S, A |
| Practicums, internships | S, A |
| Hands-on practice | S, A |
The best training sessions will incorporate a variety of training strategies. A good rule of thumb is to vary the training strategy every 15 – 20 minutes. For example, a one-hour training session about how to use a new piece of equipment may start with a short lecture to explain the functioning of the equipment and essential safety considerations, followed by a demonstration of how to work with the equipment, followed by a question-and-answer period (to check for comprehension), followed by hands-on, guided practice for each learner with the equipment.
In addition, the following questions should be considered when selecting strategies:
1. Strategies familiar to this audience
* What kinds of training strategies will the learners be expecting? A traditional school classroom experience? A PowerPoint presentation? An all-day field school?
* Determine the strategies most employed during the community’s most recent training experience. On the whole, was the experience positive or negative?
2. Factors affecting strategy
Many factors affect the choice of strategy for a learning session. Because strategies must be aligned with the learning objectives, your training content must be considered carefully before deciding upon any set strategies. The following two factors may also be considered:
| Learning Preference | This learner prefers… |
| Visual (spatial) | Using pictures, images, and spatial understanding |
| Aural (auditory-musical) | Using sound and music |
| Verbal (linguistic) | Using words, both in speech and writing |
| Logical (mathematical) | Using logic, reasoning and systems approaches |
| Physical (kinesthetic) | Engaging the body in learning, including hands and sense of touch |
| Social (interpersonal) | Learning in groups or with other people |
| Solitary (intrapersonal | Studying alone, using self-study approaches |
Dale’s Cone of Experience: suggests a visual representation of how different learning strategies can be categorized as more abstract (near the top of the pyramid) or more concrete (near the bottom of the pyramid). The implication is that more concrete learning strategies result in better recall of the learning experience. In general, the more senses are involved in a learning experience, the better that experience will be learned and remembered.
Learners generally remember…
A small amount of what they see
More of what they see and hear
Much of what they say and write
Most of what they do
3. Preferred strategies of the trainer(s): Experienced trainers usually have one or two strategies that they prefer and consequently use far more than others. Although they may teach very proficiently with these select strategies, they may become reluctant to try other strategies even when their preferred strategies are not appropriate to the learner audience or the instructional material.
When planning learning strategies, curriculum developers should find out which strategies the trainer prefers and work with the trainer to determine which learning activities would fit those strategies best. Trainers should, however, be familiar with at least half a dozen strategies so that learning activities can be varied and kept interesting.
4. Recommended activities for the content: In many ways, the type of content and learning objectives must influence the type of activities chosen. Following a careful consideration of the content and learning objectives, the learner audience and environment, and the strategies available, the curriculum developer can select a short list of at least a half-dozen strategies which are likely to work best.
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