Further education can be so simple – if learners do not (unintentionally) make mistakes that hinder the learning process. If you, as a trainer, know these 3 typical learning mistakes, you can help your participants finally learn in a relaxed way.
The success of a training or coaching does not only depend on you as a professional but is also influenced by the motivation and methodology of your participants – learning mistakes often stand in the way.
In the list of typical learning mistakes at modu-learn, I have certainly found myself more than once. Both during my studies and later in my career, I have probably made every mistake at least once – making life difficult for myself. Unfortunately, learners often only notice such mistakes afterwards.
So that you, as a trainer, can recognize typical learning mistakes of your participants in the future, here is a summary of my Top 3 typical learning mistakes that I often encounter in further education – including suggestions on how to avoid them in your training:
Place 3: Too few breaks during learning
During intensive training over one or several days, the brain's performance limit is quickly reached. Concentration wanes, and information does not stick. Nevertheless, many learners tend to overload themselves.
Strategy: The brain can only learn for a maximum of 6 hours a day. Therefore, plan your training days to be shorter than 6 hours and include adequate breaks. To shorten your training day, you can also offer theoretical content in a supplementary online course. This way, you distribute the learning workload over several days. If you offer an online course, remind your participants in the course after each learning unit to take breaks 🙂
Fixed breaks are also important in online training to remain receptive.
Place 2: Learning without a plan
Most trainings or seminars are quite extensive. Accordingly, your participants need to internalize a lot of learning material in a short time. Many participants learn without structure, schedule, or consideration for breaks. Long-term learning effect – absent.
Strategy: Your training or seminar days are likely well planned. Therefore, you should focus on the preparation and follow-up. Ideally, create a plan for the first weeks after the training together with your participants. Determine the order of the topics and provide targeted learning impulses and exercises. This way, you bring structure to the important transfer from the training room to daily life.
Example of a learning plan in an online course. Source: blink.it learning platform
Place 1: Boring learning methods
The “killer” for many participants in trainings and seminars: Monotonous learning methods such as frontal presentations or repeated reading create boredom, which lowers motivation – and consequently also the learning success.
Strategy: Offer your participants varied learning methods and media. In addition to classic texts, you can also use graphics, mind maps, sketchnotes, or videos to make the content engaging for your participants. Variety is important not only on training days but also before and after to maintain your participants' motivation in the long term!
Multimedia learning stimulates the brain, maintains motivation, and enhances the learning effect.
You can implement these tips particularly effectively when you complement your in-person sessions with online courses (Blended Learning): In the course, you can intentionally build in longer breaks by releasing the content gradually, creating a structured learning plan, and using diverse media.
You can implement such Blended Learning in 9 simple steps. Download our free guide "Blended Learning for Trainers" now and start your next training without the 3 typical learning mistakes!
