Many Types of Learning

Many Types of Learning

© Copyright Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC.

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General Information

The following links are to resources that provide overviews of types of learning.

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Accelerated Learning

Accelerated learning can include a wide variety of methods to accelerate the learning of learners, for example, close match to the learners’ learning styles, multi-media communications and tools, multiple intelligence methods, language-sensitive communications, acting and role playing, and reflection and inquiry. The success of accelerated learning depends on how well the methods are integrated and aligned to match the nature of the learners and to accomplish the overall goals of the learning program.

Adaptive Learning

The hallmark of adaptive learning is its priority on matching the nature of the methods of learning to the nature of the individual learner, particularly by using computer-based methods and tools.

Blended Learning

Blended learning is what the phrase implies — a mixture of different types of training and learning methods, particularly that are personal, interpersonal and computer-based. As with other types of learning, success rests on how well the different types and methods are integrated to match the nature of the learner and to accomplish the goals of the learning program.

Inquiry and Reflection

Numerous driving forces have caused changes in forms of learning and development. Forces include rapid changes that we must keep up with in our environments, increasingly diverse values and perspectives that we must constantly recognize and consider, and increasing competition for resources which results in even less time and resources to attend traditional and often expensive forms of schooling.
As a result, there’s more interest in learning “on the fly” — in learning how to learn from our experiences. Learning how to learn requires continuous inquiry and reflection about our experiences and the feedback shared with others.

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Loops of Learning

One of the most powerful breakthroughs in learning and development is understanding “loops” of learning. (These breakthroughs are applied especially in systems thinking and systems tools.) Single-loop learning is doing something
in response to rules that are taken for granted. For example, if someone does not adhere to a policy, then that person’s actions must be adjusted to be in accordance with the policy. In double-loop learning, the rules themselves are questioned. For example, it might be that person’s actions don’t need to be changed, but that the policies need to be changed.

Social Learning and Networked Learning

Social learning recognizes the learning that comes from interaction and feedback with others, especially via various means of telecommunications. Social learning looks very much at the nature of communications over various media. Networked learning is related in that it also examines the various patterns of communications. Both concepts focus on the learning that comes from these examinations, and how that learning can be enhanced in life and work.

Organizational and Group Learning

Organizational learning is a movement (some would argue that it is a theory with various associated models) to help organizations identify new knowledge, skills and attitudes in the structures and systems of the organizations, especially
to enhance performance of the organizations and its members. (See the Learning Organization.) Work is typically done in teams in organizations. Thus, it’s very important that organizations find ways to enhance learning in groups, much
the same way that organizations (which many view as very large groups) enhance learning in the overall organization.

Virtual Learning (Distance Learning) (Online Learning)

Virtual learning is learning that is accomplished primarily via computer-based methods and tools, particularly those via the Internet and Web. The costs of developing and implementing training and development programs are reduced significantly when computer-based activities and materials are suitable to those programs.

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For the Category of Training and Development:

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