Page 109 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 03 11/20/02 11:46 AM Page 98
98 The Creative Training Idea Book
PLANNING FOR DIVERSE NEEDS
One training factor that cannot be ignored, if you want to prepare for and influence
the learning of others successfully, is the diverse nature of today’s learner population.
Too many trainers and facilitators overlook this crucial element intentionally or through
ignorance. In failing to prepare to address diverse needs, they ignore a major portion of
their training audience. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about people, their
beliefs, values, and needs before trying to conduct training programs. Do not focus on
the obvious, visible elements of race, color, and sex. Instead, explore the subtle elements
that make us all unique yet similar. As with the various learning modalities, intelli-
gences, and other brain-based factors that you read about in Chapter 1, the facets of
diversity have just as great an impact on learning ability.
To help you, there are an enormous number of advocacy groups, written materials,
organizations, websites, and other resources that address various groups of people and
their needs. Many of these offer helpful tips that you can incorporate into your pro-
grams. Still, do not lose sight of the fact that each learner is unique and has individ-
ual needs based on his or her own situation and preferences even though he or she is
part of a larger diverse group. For this reason, the best way to find out what learning
needs your participants have is to ask them. You can do so by eliciting information
(e.g., special learning and/or nutritional needs, language needs, and so forth) on
course registration forms or through in-class activities in which people self-disclose
information about themselves. If the latter approach is used, give participants a chance
to opt out of public disclosure if they desire. Do not pressure or otherwise embarrass
anyone.
To get you started in preparation for dealing with a few groups, here are some tech-
niques that I have discovered in reading materials, researching, and in working with var-
ious advocacy groups and participants. Keep in mind that these are general suggestions
and that you should address the needs of your specific learners as they are identified.
Build these strategies into your lesson notes and plan to use them regularly.

CONNECTING WITH
DIVERSE AUDIENCES

The population expansion of the United States and the world continues each day. For
the first time in history, in the United States the number of Hispanic entry-level em-
ployees in the workforce has surpassed that of other groups. Meanwhile, the number of
people living in the United States who were born in other countries grows steadily (see
Table 3-2). With this growth comes the challenge of people who speak different lan-
guages coming together in training. For you and other trainers, the opportunity is to
design and deliver programs and materials that will be understood and successful.