Customizing Training for Different Learning Styles

Im facilitating a “Building Trust” Workshop for an Executive Team this week. Here’s how I prepare: 📌I am using my proprietary framework, but customizing for the company Leadership development material is either too custom or too generic. This hybrid model provides a foundation that clients can trust with the nuance needed for their specific situation. (And as the company delivering, it allows you to NOT reinvent the wheel + scale) 📌Provide prep work Giving a little bit of work for the team to do prior to the workshop provides more context and gets every participant excited/thinking about the topic at hand. 📌Include activities that keep all learning styles engaged I include exercises that help: - auditory learners - visual learners - kinesthetic learners - strengthen team bonds - make it fun and not like a boring lecture 📌Create lots of space for discussion. The best workshops are those where you can - you guessed it - WORKSHOP through real examples. 📌Have deliverables and practical next steps Too many L&D providers give open ended/one-way content. Instead, we want every team member to come away with one practical thing they can do tomorrow. 📌 Ask, “What was your biggest takeaway” Not only is this good market research for our company, it’s helpful for participants to reflect on WHY XYZ thing was their biggest takeaway. Which one of these is most interesting? —- P. S. In addition to our outplacement, we provide customizable, actionable leadership development training for teams of all sizes. 😉

Businesses spend $165 billion on employee training annually, yet one critical question remains: “Did anyone really learn?” The disconnect between how we train and how people actually learn is costing us — not just in dollars, but in real human potential. Top Insight: “Ultimately, the goal of corporate learning should not only be to see a return on the investment of training, but to improve the skill sets of PEOPLE!” We’ve known for decades what works. As one source puts it: “Students thrive when instruction is tailored — not just academically, but personally and culturally.” Whether in education or the workplace, human connection and relevance are what drive mastery. What’s Not Working: – “The days of measuring learning based on multiple-choice questions are gone.” – “We reward publication over pedagogy, scale over impact, and tradition over innovation.” – Traditional, one-size-fits-all methods serve institutional efficiency — not individual growth. What Works Better: – Visual Confirmation: "Imagine a training manager having access to videos of employees using knowledge from a workshop in real life." – Social Ownership: “The ability to teach others is one of the highest forms of mastery.” – Skill Assessments: “Snapshots of a learner’s abilities can give a clear picture of performance and skill improvements.” – Personalized, culturally-relevant instruction: “Representation matters, and so does human connection in learning environments.” “Changing that would require rethinking what we value in education: shifting from sorting students to supporting students.” The tools already exist — AI tutors, modular content, peer mentorship, video-based learning — but transformation takes more than technology. “It requires a cultural shift: from measuring how many students we weed out, to measuring how many we help master the material.” The question is no longer what works. We already know the answer. Are we finally ready to build the systems that make it possible? #LearningAndDevelopment #CorporateTraining #EducationReform

On Monday, I had a moment that made me realize that the responsibilities of L&D professionals will continue to evolve rapidly. I recorded a walk-through video using Google Gemini 2.0. It helped me insert a video into Camtasia, which is not too bad for performance support. Today, I asked Gemini to create a five-minute training lesson. Listen to the interactions. (Thanks, Marjan Bradesko, for the inspiration!) What happened next was a glimpse into the future of corporate training. Google Gemini understood my context, provided visual guidance, and adapted its instructions based on my responses. More importantly, it showed me how close we are to AI-powered training systems. Imagine this scenario scaled up: Your employees need to learn a new software platform. Instead of traditional eLearning, they interact with a multimodal AI that: ◾Watches their screen interactions in real-time ◾Listens to their questions and frustrations ◾Generates custom tutorial videos on the fly ◾Provides hands-on practice scenarios ◾Adapts its teaching style based on their learning patterns The core technology exists today: ◾Real-time screen analysis ◾Natural language understanding ◾Dynamic content generation ◾Behavioral pattern recognition ◾Adaptive learning algorithms What's missing? Gemini controls the screen to highlight areas/objects, create practice assets on the fly, automate lesson scheduling, and connect to platforms to coordinate and track these activities. But those barriers are falling fast. This means L&D professionals need to start thinking differently about their roles. We're moving from content creators to human/machine performance analysts. SLOWLY. Our value won't be in creating standard training materials but in designing the frameworks and scenarios that AI will use to generate personalized learning experiences. The implications for corporate training are enormous: ◾Just-in-time learning that works ◾Truly personalized learning paths ◾Real-time skill assessment and adaptation ◾Immediate application of knowledge ◾Continuous performance support that evolves into deeper learning I've spent 30 years in L&D, and I've never been more excited about our field's future. The tools we're seeing today are just the beginning. What do you think? How are you preparing your L&D strategy for this shift, or is it more of the same for 2025? Are you already experimenting with AI in your training programs? Drop a comment below. ---------------------------- Want to learn how to implement this multimodal functionality? I'm holding an AI Intensive program at the end of January. Link in the comments.

Differentiated instruction is an essential approach that adapts teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and needs. By tailoring lessons through varied strategies like flexible grouping, scaffolding, and personalized support, educators create more inclusive environments that enhance student engagement and comprehension. This approach fosters equity in education, ensuring every learner has access to meaningful learning experiences. When integrated into lesson planning, differentiated instruction proves highly effective, allowing educators to anticipate challenges, provide targeted interventions, and offer multiple pathways for success. It strengthens student self-awareness, deepens understanding, and cultivates a love for learning, ultimately leading to improved academic performance. Differentiated instruction takes many forms in the classroom, fostering engagement and personalized learning experiences. Here are a few examples: -Flexible Grouping: Students rotate between small groups based on their skill levels or learning preferences. For example, in a reading lesson, some groups may focus on phonics, while others dive into comprehension strategies. -Choice Boards: Students select activities based on their interests and learning styles. In a science lesson, one student may create an infographic, another might write a reflection, and another may complete a hands-on experiment. -Learning Stations: Different stations cater to diverse learning needs, such as a hands-on activity for tactile learners, a discussion-based station for verbal learners, and a digital exploration station for visual learners.

Two of the biggest problems I hear about in leadership development: 1/ “Learning doesn’t stick.” 2/ “We don’t have a culture of learning.” BOTH of these problems can be solved. The key is to create a “learning ecosystem.” I’m not saying it’s easy...It’s certainly not something you can do overnight. But, these 7 tactics can go a long way: 1/ Hold a monthly community of practice Get your audience together each month (on Zoom). Use the call to: - reinforce key learnings - forge peer connections - give everyone a chance to ask Qs & share challenges - facilitate practice 2/ Create a Resource Vault Store learning resources in one live folder. Keep your docs updated in real time: - Insert new examples - Take & apply real-time feedback from learners - Create new resources based on what learners need The goal here is to make the vault a place your learners return to often. 3/ Send Weekly Behavioral Nudges Weekly behavioral nudges: - are a simple way to double or triple the value of an existing assessment or training program - can take a one-and-done program/assessment and add a year-long tail of exercises and key insights Nudges = STICKY learning 4/ Give Every Learner Access to a REAL Coach Use message-based coaching to: - expand the number of employees you can offer coaching to - meet employees at the exact moment that they need help 5/ Create a Peer Learning Network Peer learning tech enables collaboration in new ways. (And in ways that in-person can’t) Example: One leadership development team at a big tech company used a simple Google doc where learners shared questions, insights, and examples from over a dozen locations. As their doc grew… - themes emerged - ideas intersected - they had a running record of key info 6/ Deliver Microlearning in the Flow of Work Micro-learning: - makes learning available on-demand (open book test) - helps increase repetition to build habits - brings learning into the flow of work 7/ Trigger Organic Conversations You might: - use conversational guides (between peers or between learners & managers). - use prompts in your peer learning network - hold breakouts in your community of practice The idea is that over time, your learners will naturally use the language and ideas from your learning in their daily conversations. ____ Apply these 7 tactics (or even just a few) and you'll be well on your way to creating a learning ecosystem. One that will: 1/ take in new topics and spit out behavior change 2/ generate more feedback than you can collect 3/ solidify a culture of learning What other components do you include in your programs? #leadershipdevelopment

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 💡 Are your learning programs inadvertently excluding certain groups of employees? Let's face it: a one-size-fits-all approach in Learning and Development (L&D) can leave many behind, perpetuating inequity and stalling both individual and organizational growth. When learning opportunities aren't equitable, disparities in performance and career advancement become inevitable, weakening your workforce's overall potential. Here’s how to design inclusive L&D initiatives that cater to diverse learning needs and backgrounds: 📌 Conduct a Needs Assessment: Start by identifying the various demographics within your organization. Understand the unique challenges and barriers faced by different groups. This foundational step ensures your L&D programs are tailored to meet diverse needs. 📌 Develop Accessible Content: Design training materials that are accessible to all employees, including those with disabilities. Use subtitles, closed captions, and audio descriptions, and ensure compatibility with screen readers. This ensures everyone can engage fully with the content. 📌 Multimodal Learning Materials: People learn in different ways. Incorporate various formats such as videos, interactive modules, written guides, and live sessions to cater to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. This diversity in material format can enhance comprehension and retention. 📌 Cultural Competency: Make sure your content respects and reflects the cultural diversity of your workforce. Incorporate examples and case studies from various cultural backgrounds to make the material relatable and inclusive. 📌 Flexible Learning Pathways: Offer flexible learning options that can be accessed at different times and paces. This flexibility supports employees who may have varying schedules or commitments outside of work. 📌 Inclusive Feedback Mechanisms: Create channels for feedback that are accessible to all employees. Ensure that feedback is actively sought and acted upon to continuously improve the inclusivity of your L&D programs. 📌 Train Trainers on Inclusive Practices: Equip your trainers with the skills and knowledge to deliver content inclusively. This involves understanding unconscious bias, cultural competency, and techniques to engage a diverse audience. Creating an inclusive learning environment isn’t just about compliance—it’s about unlocking the full potential of every employee. By prioritizing inclusivity, you promote equality, enhance performance, and support a more dynamic and innovative workforce. How are you making your L&D programs inclusive? Share your strategies below! ⬇️ #LearningAndDevelopment #Inclusion #Diversity #WorkplaceLearning #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateTraining

What if you had a personal learning support system with custom AI helpers guiding you, challenging you, and giving you just the right practice at the right time? At work, I’ve been exploring strategies for using AI agents to deliver more personalized learning. With AI agent-driven experiences, you’re not just interacting with a chatbot, you’re learning through focused, goal-aligned support. Each agent plays a specific role: one might give you practice activities tailored to your skill level, another might offer feedback on what to improve, and another helps keep your learning aligned with your bigger goals. It’s not about dumping content. It’s about giving you the right nudge, the right challenge, or the right reflection at just the right time. That got me thinking… what if I built one just for me? Just for something I love and want to build my skills more on like 3D printing and laser cutting. This way not only do I learn more about AI ecosystems but something I enjoy. So I've added to my personal learning roadmap to start a side project to build an AI agent ecosystem that helps me learn through doing. One agent might quiz me on printer maintenance. Another could challenge me with a new project idea or walk me through troubleshooting a tricky print. Another might generate custom practice activities based on what I’ve struggled with. Because sometimes, the best way to level up is to design your own way there. #InstructionalDesign #GenAI #LearningDesign #eLearning #AIinLearning #CourseDevelopment #DigitalLearning #IDStrategy #EdTech #eLearningDesign #LearningTechnology #InnovationInLearning

(AI helps to accommodate) Different learning style. Teaching a new course this semester, and tried experimenting with creating different versions of each lecture: - Text (textbook chapter) for those who prefer to read - Video lecture for those who prefer to watch - Audio lecture for those who prefer to listen - Audio podcast --- same content, but in the form of an AI-generated podcast - Slides (deliberately detailed, can be read as notes) - Self-assessment quiz after each lecture - Additional readings for those who want to learn more. After creating 7 different types of resources/delivery methods for each of the first several lectures, I surveyed my students, asking: - Which of these do you use (from never to always)? - Which of these do you like (from not at all to love very much)? I hoped everyone loves one method and never uses other channels, in which case I can create only textbook chapters or only video lectures for the remaining topics to be covered in the course. Alas, the results are as mixed as they get. Some students love reading the textbook and never watch video lectures. Others always listen to audio lectures but never read the textbook. Some love self-assessment quizzes, others hate them. Some only look through the slides, others love additional readings. It takes an enormous amount of time to create seven versions of the same lecture, but I'll have to do it to accommodate every learning style of my students... ____ TIPS: 1. Create slides and record a video lecture, making sure you provide enough details on every diagram for those who are only listening. 2. Record a video lecture (MP4). 2. Render an audio-only version (MP3). 3. Extract the script of the lecture, and using AI create a book chapter. Best to start with creating a detailed outline, then writing each subsection separately. It will take many rounds of polishing and editing, but as long as you instruct AI to stick as close as possible to your original delivery style, the textbook chapter will be authentically yours, a textbook chapter of your video lecture recording. Add pictures from your slides. 4. Use NoteLM to generate a podcast version of your lecture based on the full transcript of your video lecture. Instruct AI not to miss any detail from your video lecture. You may have to edit it afterwards to ensure the content closely reflects your original lecture. 5. Using AI, generate self-assessment questions and the scoring key with a detailed explanation of each answer. Carefully review every question. I normally discard about 70% of the questions, and even those I keep, I usually have to edit to ensure a close fit with my original lecture. 6. The slides are mine, and the additional readings are my own collection. AI is not helpful with these yet.

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. Let's dive into personalized learning paths and how they empower our teams. As leaders, we recognize that each employee has unique strengths, preferences, and growth areas. Personalized learning paths allow us to tailor development experiences. Let’s look at 5 strategies for personalized learning: 1. #SkillsAssessment: Start by assessing individual skills. Use tools like competency frameworks or self-assessment surveys. Identify gaps and strengths. Imagine a marketing manager discovering a knack for data analytics during a skills assessment. We can then guide them toward relevant courses or workshops. 2. Customized content: Offer a buffet of learning resources. Some prefer bite-sized videos; others thrive on in-depth articles. Curate content that aligns with diverse learning styles. Imagine a visual learner immersing themselves in infographics about market trends while an analytical thinker dives into case studies. 3. #Microlearning modules: Break down topics into bite-sized chunks. Microlearning fits busy schedules and enhances retention. Imagine short modules on negotiation skills or time management. These snackable lessons can be consumed during coffee breaks or commutes. 4. Assign mentors and learning coaches: They guide employees, provide feedback, and celebrate milestones. A seasoned leader can help a junior manager navigate complex projects. Imagine a mentor sharing insights on stakeholder management or organizational change leadership. 5. Gamified challenges: Set challenges, quizzes, or simulations. Reward progress. Imagine a sales team competing in a product knowledge quiz—learning becomes fun! The top scorer gets a virtual high-five. Remember, agility isn't just about reacting swiftly; it's about learning, adapting, and thriving. #ContinuousLearning #IndividualDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment

Most training content is generic: the same videos, the same slides, the same quizzes. An employee sits through a PowerPoint presentation, then takes a basic test... But they don’t help; very few learn effectively that way. Because they don’t create engagement — They just throw information at the worker. You might say, “Our content is informative and detailed.” 💡But that misses the point: You can’t enhance learning without understanding the learner's unique needs. And if effective training is the goal — You need AI to tailor your training sessions. That’s why modern presentation software with AI features is a game changer: 1️⃣ Learner Profiles: AI analyzes communication preferences + learning history. It’s not just about what they learn, but how they learn best. If you understand this, your training will be more effective. 2️⃣ Content Customization: AI suggests the right type of content. Visual learner? More videos and infographics. Narrative learner? Engaging stories and examples. 3️⃣ Optimal Timing: AI determines when learners are most receptive. Maybe after a series of successful sessions, introduce more challenging content. Use gamification to gauge learning intent and adapt accordingly. We take these variables and tailor around your staff’s individual needs. It requires some initial setup, but it beats generic training by a mile. And I get it — traditional methods are familiar (you’ve used them for decades). But the answer is definitely not one-size-fits-all ➡️ it’s customized and adaptive. AI is changing everything — and learning and development isn’t an exception.