Before Wyblo, I taught undergraduate students at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. My course, which focused on how Hollywood portrays different identities, fulfilled two state requirements for graduation: University Writing and Diversity in Western Experience. While my experience comes from the academic world, I understand the challenges of teaching essential information to learners who will have to use their new knowledge in the workplace. With this comparison in mind  (it may be apples to oranges, but they are still both fruit– that is, it’s still learning), I wanted to provide tips from both my experience and pedagogical training that elevated the classroom experience and best supported learning. 

1. Get to know your learners before the course begins 

One of the best advice I received from previous instructors was to get to know my learners before the course actually began through some form of survey. I sent a survey to my learners and asked them a series of questions to better understand their goals for the course, their interests, and learning preferences. This allowed me to curate a course with their needs and interests in mind, increasing the probability of catching their attention the first time they step into the classroom. I made small adjustments to the content I used to include their interests and ensured my lesson-plans covered all learning styles and course goals. 

This personalized learning experience made the learner feel it was geared toward them, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the content and increasing the likelihood of understanding the content at hand. 

2. Collect and analyze feedback throughout the course, not just the end 

As my courses progressed, I began to wonder if there were ways I could improve my instructing-method to better engage my learners and elevate them toward success. With any course, learning styles and needs can change as learners begin to interact with the content at a more personal level. That is why I implemented continuous feedback in my courses– I wanted to know how I can improve as they continue to learn, to increase the chances of a successful learning experience. Exams and quizzes are a great way to understand what your learners have learned, yet it doesn’t improve the chances of more learning. In these weekly surveys, I would ask my learners what they enjoy about the class, what they wish was different, if there are ways I can improve my instructional methods to help them learn. This provided new insight for myself and proved to be an effective tool throughout the course. 

3. Use technology to enhance the learning experience 

I facilitated these pedagogical tools through various apps. My learners were familiar with the apps I used, so most participated in my pre-assessment and continuous-surveys. Without technology, I wouldn’t have been able to create a personalized learning experience for my learners. With the increase of a younger workforce, technology seems imperative to any training program; however, the type of technology is important. Technology is always advancing and adapting to new needs, so there are a variety of new options available for trainers to use. One problem I faced was managing different applications at various times, making it difficult to keep track of my data. I would suggest choosing a singular application to keep all your course information in one place, making it easier for you to focus less on the administrative side of training and focus more on creating a successful learning experience for your learners. 

Ultimately, personalized learning is the best pedagogical approach for trainers looking to make an impact in their courses and workshops. With the right tools, and technology, trainers can elevate their training and become known as an effective trainer for corporate and leadership organizations alike. Wyblo understands these needs and pedagogical methods, which is why we have features like pre-assessment and continuous feedback surveys. You can learn more about us and our platform by scheduling a commitment-free introductory call with one of our team members using this link: https://meetings.hubspot.com/manuel-corato