When Arbor Scientia Group began, its goal was to change how medical education was delivered worldwide. We wanted to accelerate learning, increase confidence, and move the audience toward lasting behavioral change. Over the past 20 years, we have measured, refined, or even published our results in Best Practices in Medical Teaching.
Key adult learning principles and instructional design strategies are at the root of effective learning. Effective use of these key strategies raises the level of retention.
Key Adult Learning Principles and Instructional Design Strategies:
Self-directed learning
- Adults don’t want answers to questions they didn’t ask. Adults are more motivated to learn when they identify what they need to learn and how they need to learn it.
Interval learning
- Learning is a process not an event. Planning multiple exposures to information in various formats builds retention and confidence in new material.
Visual storytelling
- Memory is about associations and storytelling creates lasting associations. Visual processing is one of the fastest ways the brain absorbs and retains new information. By tapping into our natural physiology, you can enhance learning and achieve greater results.
Activity-driven learning
- Whether simple discussion or gamification, application is the cement that holds the building blocks of information together. It is critical that the time spent in practical application is appropriate because it builds confidence in new information and makes it relevant.
Metrics/measurability
- You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Real-time information about the learning that is taking place is critical to ensuring educational success.
Learn more about metrics/measurability.
The Science of Communication for the Communication of Science
We utilize the principles of communication science and personality dynamics to maximize the effectiveness of your communication. How you tell your story is as important as the story itself. Have you considered these factors that affect communication?
- The personalities in your audience and the roles they play
- Proxemics
- Aligning verbal and nonverbal message
- Instinctive elaboration
If you haven’t, you should!
