Every user learns differently; their preferred method of training varies. Some people learn best by reading, some by hearing, and some by using visual aids. Multimodal training now plays a key role, benefiting all workforce types.
What is multimodal training?
Multimodal training refers to delivering the same training program in different ways, like audio, visual, or reading resources. It helps employees to learn the best way they can with the ideal mode of training.
Why is multimodal training important?
It is seldom ideal to train two people together, especially if there are two generations involved. Think about a training program that aims to help employees communicate more effectively. The younger generation can quickly access it.
However, for the older generation, finding the materials can be a difficult effort. This makes it necessary to use multimodal training to make the content accessible to various kinds of employees.
It is important to consider the needs of every employee when delivering a useful training program. There are different types of modes used for training:
- Visual
- Auditory
- Read/write
- Kinesthetic
Visual training: this audience prefers to receive information with the help of artwork, text, graphs, presentations, etc.
Auditory: This audience grabs the information best when they hear someone delivering the course, like an in-person lecture, podcast, or video.
Read and write: these people prefer reading and writing, which is taking notes. They can gather knowledge with the help of reading about a product from top to bottom.
Kinesthetic: this suits people who enjoy the real-life experience, meaning the first-hand experience of the product or service.
This process is also called the VARK learning model, which helps organizations impart better knowledge to partners, customers, and employees.
Benefits of VARK training methodology
A great way to provide individualized training is through multimodal training. It offers customers, partners, and employees a better opportunity to learn in the optimal learning mode.
An ideal learning atmosphere is created by combining educational and training methods, which improves audience comprehension of the course.
Let’s examine the advantages of VARK in more detail:
1. Engaging a whole team
If you have a large team, you can engage them easily. You can cater to their unique requirements with a comprehensive learning course.
2. Improved retention rate
Every team member will comprehend the knowledge better with the suitable training mode. It helps in improving the retention rate of your employees.
3. Ability to solve real-life problems
It is challenging for employees to solve practical difficulties when you only give them theoretical knowledge. Via the VARK approach, you may teach partners, clients, or staff more effectively using live demonstrations and other resources.
For instance, if you instruct your staff to read about LMS software, they will undoubtedly become familiar with it, but if you allow them to use the software directly, they will retain the information better and comprehend what LMS is.
4. Promote creativity
With the help of the VARK mode of learning, learners can engage in the courses better. Your employees will be able to learn in a social environment better.
5. Self-paced learning
The course, based upon cognitive learning, helps the employees learn at their own pace. Self-paced learning allows your employees to learn whenever and wherever they want.
How can you include the VARK model in your training programs?
1. Focus on visual arts
Visual learning is also one of the factors of VARK learning, which is ideal for people who prefer visual resources like diagrams, infographics, charts, and graphs.
The best resources are a combination of text and visuals. You can add an image and then add text to explain it, which will help the employees or learners better comprehend the course.
2. Blended learning
Blended learning is a great approach if you want your employees to retain knowledge. You can have a combination of various resources like blogs, podcasts, videos, etc.
3. Talk to the team members
If you don’t want to experiment with your strategies, you should talk to your teammates directly and see what they require. You can ask them their expectations of the course and what they want to include in it.
What are the strategies you can use for your VARK model training?
visual learners
- You can use symbols and illustrations to highlight your content
- Create infographics, videos
- Teach more via presentations, charts, and illustrations
- Utilize different color codes to differentiate the content
auditory learners
- You can organize guest speeches
- Create podcast episodes
- You can have group discussions among your employees
- Allow everyone to have an opinion in meetings
- Host seminars
readers/writers
- Give them essays to read
- You can give them assessments after the courses
- Reading sessions
kinesthetic learners
- You can have site visits
- You can utilize all the learning resources
- Use real-life experience and case studies
So, make the ideal training program using the VARK model of learning. Hope it was an insightful reading for you.
