Media Selection for Outstanding Training

Media is the means of transferring knowledge to the learner, the whole objective of training. It is something that can’t be overlooked and it is probably the most pivotal part of the instructional design process, next to the formation of learning and performance objectives. It is the one point in the instructional design process where you have a lot of choices based on your objectives and what your resources will allow you to do.

When choosing media for your training, take a hard look at your content and your intended learning outcomes. Certain outcomes lend very well to certain types of media while others to do not. There have been countless studies done on media and its use in learning to help adult educators make informed decisions when selecting. Here’s just a sample of the results from such research expressed in a decision matrix.

Also, when selecting your media, keep this in mind:

Edgar Dale was an educator who developed what was called the Cone of Experience Theory (here and here). The main idea of the theory is - The closer to the actual experience you can get your learner to, while they are learning, will result in increased retention.

In other words, the more real the media is to convey a message (what you want to teach), the better it is for your learner.

Think about it. Why do pilots train in flight simulators? Why do city, county, state and federal emergency personnel run disaster preparedness drills? It's a safe environment to learn in and reflect upon because they are doing the actual tasks that are as close as you can get to a real situation with little or no threat of causing critical errors.

It means much more to the learner if they can actually experience the situation through the media than to sit in a classroom, read books, listen to a lecture and watch videos or people demonstrating how to use something. For example, if the learning outcome is the development of a motor skill don't be afraid to put some prototypes or demos in the hands of your learners. This is probably one of the easiest, most fundamental ways you can train someone to improve or develop a new skill.

There are many more things to consider when choosing media for your training. It the most important part of training development and if you keep these fundamental points in mind, you are headed in the right direction to create outstanding training.

Further Reading

Learn more about instructional design with these posts:

• Planning for Effective E-Learning
• What Instructional Design Means to PinPoint Performance Solutions