I’m not talking about political views on education and training, but rather eye movement as it relates to learning. Believe it or not, Liberals see gaze cues much differently than Conservatives do.

As reported in Science Daily (Dec. 9, 2010) — “It goes without saying that conservatives and liberals don’t see the world in the same way. Now, research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that is exactly, and quite literally, the case.”

What does this have to do with training and development? Read on.

In that UNL study, researchers measured a person’s tendency to shift attention in a direction consistent with another person’s eye movements, even if it’s irrelevant to their current task. Any surprise that there was a big differences between the two groups? It also reported that “Liberals responded strongly to the prompts, consistently moving their attention in the direction suggested to them by a face on a computer screen. Conservatives, on the other hand, did not.”

Why? It appeared participant values on personal autonomy might make them less likely to be influenced by others, and therefore less responsive to the visual prompts. To those conducting the study, they thought political “temperament” might moderate the magnitude, but didn’t expect the conservatives to be completely immune to the cues, while the liberals tended to follow the “gaze cues.”

So, what does this mean for the training world. There are one or more aspects to consider in analyzing our audience. Knowing the political inclinations can affect the willingness of the student or trainee to learn, or to even attend to what we say. It seems to indicated the liberals are more open, which means more of a sell to the conservatives especially on “what it means to me.”

Remember it is the obvious we usually look at. We don’t often think of the cognitive aspects. We know about impressions we make on an audience and vice versa. We can’t exactly go out and ask members our audience their political affiliations; I would suggest making such inquiries quite discreet, if necessary, or asked with a touch of humor. I doubt if it is absolutely necessary although if we make sure we put in enough connections of what the training or subject matter means to our participants we’ll have a positive training result regardless.

This brings to mind other cognitive differences or behavioral nuances that can be considered. Clothing stereotypes have been shown to determine that people may or may not be the “people” they portray through their clothes. Perception of others can often be based on clothing choices alone. I did two studies, one in undergrad psychology and one in graduate school where I showed individuals pictures of clothing and asked them to assign character traits–even political and religious affiliation. The results in both studies were conclusive that people do stereotype based on clothing alone.

Maybe we all watch too much television, but we know a “pimp” when we see one. Just kidding, but I think you get my point. How our audience perceives us based on our clothing relates to how they will listen to us. After all, they think they know something about us; hence, the necessity for conservative professional business attire when appropriate or something close to what our audience is wearing. We will be perceived as we appear. Bios can affect that perception, but you know what they about first impressions being the lasting ones. Of course, there is the obvious. Do our own political views affect our approach in training an audience of opposing views or similar views, and should it? It is perhaps just as important to acknowledge our personal differences if only to ourselves and be aware of who we are and how that may affect our training audience.

For me, knowing my audience is number one, knowing my subject, number two and knowing myself, last. Each of these aspects in communicating with an audience is essential. Without these elements, I think your training or speaking engagement can never be the best, most honest, or the most effective it can be.

For more on gazing: I wrote an article on it recently called the Power of Gazing in Training, Love and Other Matters that touched on the basics. Just so you know, the reviews expressed here are my own and you should feel free to disagree and express yourself. I love opposing views especially if you can provide more information on a subject. Also, if this topic or another is your particular expertise, we can always use guest writers. Check the link at the top for the form and fill it out for us. For more on Jack Shaw, see my website for more articles on training, communication and theatre.

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.

Please check out my website. It’s not about acting at all or it is everything about acting, depending on how you look at it. I am happy to discuss any proposition. For a look at the human side of training from my Cave Man perspective, please check out my book, The Cave Man Guide to Training and Development. Happy training.

The notion of using mobile technologies in education and training is an interesting one. I, for one, would like to see all public and private schools use computer tablets not only for carrying the textbooks but I see a wide range of exercise and homework possibilities.

Today students and parents can be in constant touch with a teacher who is well-versed in the current technology, although some still lag behind using the archaic means of communication like the phone and office visits.

There are still benefits to the technology for parents like checking grades, homework and attendance from home. Kids can also check their homework schedules, email homework, etc., although it is rather amusing that those technology savvy parents are frustrated by a teacher (who has a life outside of school) they cannot contact immediately. Their children–the students themselves are more in touch with the technology–sometimes even more than we are. I learned to type on a manual typewriter and my kids use a computer keyboard. They also know their way around the computer; they didn’t have typing in school; they had a technology class in elementary school–that included keyboarding. This is how they communicate and learn, and it will become more sophisticated as it also becomes more routine.

How does this relate to Training and Development. Easily. What the schools do now and will do in the future will affect adult learning–even if today we don’t use all the technology available to us. We better be willing to learn how to use it.

My advice to trainers and training companies: don’t be stuck in the past, but look to the future. It gives continuous learning for us a new focus: staying ahead or at least keeping up with technological curve. Beware if school teachers are using this technology before us, because they are setting the standard on how our students expect to learn. Who ever thought teachers could teach trainers anything? I’m kidding, of course. We owe it all to teachers. Most of us would not be where we are without a teacher who inspired us to learn something we found absolutely boring and ended up loving. Mobile products are one (CDs, DVDs, Podcasts, Computer or online training), and using mobile devices in training are another; we need to be proficient in using both, understanding limitations and advantages.

My goal is always to approach a training client and offer first the best way a trainee or a student may learn the subject; then, we move on to the next best and most-cost-effective tools. While I believe, most often face-to-face is best for nearly all training, it is sometimes not convenient or cost-effective to the client. On the other hand, I’ll lose a customer if I don’t take into account his needs, and ignore the new technology as a way of getting my message across effectively–if at all. Just remember your teenage son or daughter, who communicated with you only through text messages, and the trouble you had with the text shorthand. I remember this with amusement. Trust me, this not only affects learning but whether you are attended to at all. Our job is not complain, but to see the value and to use the best tools available to do the job.

Jason Novosel said it previously in his article all Using Mobile Technologies in Education and Training, and I thank him for his contribution in this forum. I know I am echoing some of his sentiments, but wanted to add my thoughts to the mix.

I take responsibility for what you see on this site. I hope you find it useful and come back often. Let me know what you want to explore and maybe I can help. Guest writers are welcome. We prefer you fill out the form at the top and tells about your subject, etc. Sometimes I see an article that strikes my fancy or I find areas I want to disagree with or discuss. Then I guess I’m on my own. I always try to give credit where it is due.

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.

My own website contains links to these articles as well as links to articles in theatre criticism and communication commentary. All in all, I learn from each article I write–be it on training and development, on theatre or on communication in general. It is part my continuous learning process. For a look at the human side of training from my Cave Man perspective, please check out my book, The Cave Man Guide to Training and Development. Happy training.

While I host this Training and Development blog and use the occasional guest blogger, it is my hope that you will appreciate the other point of views.

The article below by Jason Novosel, Novo Horizons Management Training, a company from Down Under, spells out the idea of using mobile technologies in education and training quite plainly. And, today, I share it with you.

“It has been my experience as a professional educator that the teaching and training industry can be an inconsistent one. The industry is certainly dynamic – but the education/study boards, committees, government departments, etc. are constantly re-writing the basic philosophies of teaching and learning, based on the current “fashionable” research. Despite the “advances” in curriculum development and delivery, it is quite a challenge for teachers to actually keep up. Concerns have been, and are now being, raised by the teaching fraternity that a large percentage of educators do not feel well supported when it comes to implementing curriculum and pedagogical changes. Now, throw the latest technology into the equation, and…

“It is difficult to immediately deal with the pre-existing culture of education. The transition from rote learning to self-directed exploring of concepts is a slow one. Will technology aid this process? Will the educational philosophy and focus change to, once again, embrace the retro views of previous decades? What effects, if any, do mobile technologies have on handwriting, spelling, language and extension concepts? These are the questions that should be at the forefront of any investigation into using mobile technologies in the classroom. Unfortunately, there are no definitive answers as yet. Research into this area is still new and has not yet resolved into conclusions that educators can base solid plans on. Of course, progressive education and innovation demands the incorporation of technology and ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) into all areas of the curriculum. However, with quality of education in mind, I go back to asking the above questions.

“In addition to philosophies of learning comes the issue of staffing classrooms with quality personnel. Without teachers who can explore concepts and motivate learners, stocking classrooms with the latest devices will have very little impact. Without teachers who can themselves spell and use language in a grammatically correct manner, communication will suffer regardless of the device used.

“The Australian National Curriculum (ANC) has been written to commence language and number concepts in Early Years (also called Prep). What used to be Grade One (Age 5-6) material should now be covered at Age 4-5, according to the ANC document, and similarly throughout all the years of Early Phase of Learning. This, to me, is a recognition of and response to the generation of teachers who have not had the benefit of a solid grounding in language and number, based in a stable, consistent curriculum. The overt focus (which commenced 5-8 years ago in Australia) on the embedding of ICTs into every subject’s curriculum may have been the catalyst for the degrading of the classical ‘three Rs’. It seems education systems in Australia have recognised this and are taking steps to ensure the next generation of teachers can spell, add and be creative in using applicable technology. Australia is finally following trends that have already played out internationally. Traditionally, Australian education ideologies have been 5 years behind those of the US and UK.

“So far it has sounded as if mobile technologies should not be used in the classroom right? Well, here comes the “but”…

“I love technology! I use it every day. I actually create and help develop apps for use on iPad, iPhone and iPod. I also love education and training. I have been a teacher all my professional life – right up to the present day. Technology is the way of the future. It is inevitable that it will impact upon every facet of business, education, training and networking. However, users should, and must, be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of mobile technologies.

“Advantages:

• Mobile learning and training can improve the service you offer to your clients/learners. For example training can more readily be conducted on site or from the home, rather than learners/employees travelling to a training venue.
• More powerful solutions can link directly into office or work-based networks making the training experience very relevant to the learner’s role.
• Greater flexibility in working and training. For example, training might still be able to take place while a learner is travelling, or even at home.
• Users are able to connect to other learners around the globe increasing discussion, interaction and perspective.

“Disadvantages:

• In Australia, there is a lack of network coverage in rural and some regional areas. This severely limits the use of mobile devices.
• Some learners lack technological “know-how” or are more apprehensive about technology when undertaking study or training.
• There are costs involved in setting up the equipment and training required to make use of mobile devices, as well as ongoing costs for upgrades.
• Mobile devices can expose valuable data to unauthorised people if proper precautions are not taken or followed.

“Decades ago educators were sceptical at how the desktop computer would play a role in education. Now tablet computers and smart phones have become the dominant communication devices. Social networks are accelerating contact, networking and information to a wide and varied audience faster than ever. It is up to trainers and educators to navigate these networks and to find appropriate, creative and mature levels of thinking and questioning which facilitate the use of mobile devices, rather than have mobile devices dominate education and training.”

Jason Novosel
Novo Horizons Management Training

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.

For a look at the human side of training from my Cave Man perspective, please check out my book, The Cave Man Guide to Training and Development. Happy training.