If you’ve ever wondered why some people succeed at learning new skills and knowledge while others fail to grasp basic concepts, you may want to find out more about learning theory. Theories of learning and human resource development can help guide employees in their career development. By giving your staff access to a broad spectrum of courses, workshops and self-paced alternatives, you can enable their development and improve productivity for your business at the same time.
An instructor using behaviorism as the basis for her strategy assumes that positive and negative reinforcement impact learning. She praises employees when they behave the way she wants and punishes them when they do not. Changes in behavior indicate success. You might use this strategy to get employees to adopt new policies and procedures. For example, you lecture participants and then you test them on retention of the material. You reward those who pass the exam and demand that those who fail retake your course.
Using the cognitivism learning theory, educators focus on improving mental processes rather than physical actions. These instructors believe that their role is to help people expand their knowledge. Small business owners can use this strategy to encourage employees to improve their strategic thinking practices, memory and problem-solving skills. By conducting contests, games and activities that challenge employees' memory, attention span, speed, flexibility and ingenuity, you can promote well being and workplace productivity.
The constructivism learning theory states that employees actively participate in their own learning and development. Small business owners need to recognize that their employees bring the past work experience, cultural background and personality to their current roles. When people take responsibility for their own career development, their morale typically improves and their job satisfaction increases.
In the digital age, learning occurs in multiple environments. Free online courses enable anyone to take advantage of global opportunities to develop new skills, knowledge and techniques. This learning theory recognizes that learning is a process of connecting diverse opinions, information and resources. Successful entrepreneurs know that the ability to make connections equals long-term profitability. People want to make the critical decisions about what they get to learn about. This alters their future. Social networking technology expands your ability to make connections with other people throughout the world to learn about stimulating topics. This means that even a small business has the opportunity to create, preserve and utilize information in new ways. Well-connected leaders foster a positive information flow that contributes to the personal and professional development of their subordinates.
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