#ATD2024 – Create Training That Makes a Real Impact

On the last day of the 2024 ATD-ICE conference, training professionals gathered to discuss strategies for creating training programs that truly make a difference. Matt Gjertsen, Chief Learning Officer of Better Every Day Studios, led these discussions. The session covered various aspects of instructional design aimed at maximizing learning outcomes, from capturing attention to building connections in the brain and ensuring information retrieval. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from the conference sessions and explore how to create training that leaves a lasting impact.

Gjertsen, a former Air Force flight instructor, highlighted an 8% figure he was concerned about. This was the percentage of CEOs who felt businesses were impacted by training. As a fellow veteran, I feel his concern. The military places a high regard on training and its impact. 

He then proceeded to discuss three things that were essential for a learning memory. 

• Encoding
• Storage
• Retrieval

Capturing Attention: Encoding Information

In the first step of creating impactful training, it’s crucial to capture learners’ attention and encode information effectively. Here are some insights shared during the sessions:

• Specificity Matters: Make the training content specific and salient to grab learners’ attention.
• Using Real-Life Examples: Incorporate real-life examples and language relevant to learners’ experiences to increase engagement.
• Utilizing Repetition and Emotion: Build connections in the brain through repetition and emotional engagement to enhance information encoding.

He highlighted Mr. Beast’s YouTube videos as an example of breaking through the noise.

Building Connections: Storing Information

Once information is encoded, the next step is to build connections in the brain to store it effectively. We are actually rewiring the brain. Here’s how to accomplish this:

• Creating Repetition: Repeated exposure to training content helps reinforce learning and strengthens neural connections.
• Adding Emotion: Infusing training with emotion helps create strong memories and facilitates information retention.
• Balancing Emotion and Repetition: Strike a balance between emotion and repetition to ensure effective information storage without overwhelming learners.

Ensuring Retrieval: Contextual Learning

The final stage in creating impactful training ensures learners can retrieve and apply the information when needed. Here’s how to facilitate retrieval:

• Building Context: Provide environmental cues or contexts that mirror real-world scenarios to help learners recall information.
• Using Realistic Scenarios: Incorporate realistic scenarios and role-playing exercises to simulate actual situations learners may encounter.
• Creating Feedback Loops: Establish feedback mechanisms to reinforce learning and facilitate application in real-world settings.

Gjertsen highlighted the habit-building sequence: cue -> crave -> response -> reward. This comes from the book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear.

Example Scenarios From the Conference Sessions

During the conference sessions, several examples were shared to illustrate how these principles can be applied in different contexts:

• Role-Playing Exercises: Role-playing exercises were used to simulate real-life scenarios, providing learners with practical experience and facilitating information retrieval.
• Online and On-the-Job Training Integration: Integrating online training with on-the-job experiences helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
• Personalized Learning Experiences: Tailoring training content to individual learners’ needs and preferences enhanced engagement and information retention. Ideally, train in the workplace.

Conclusion

Creating training that makes a real impact requires careful consideration of various factors, from capturing attention to ensuring information retrieval. By incorporating specificity, repetition, emotion, and contextual learning strategies, instructional designers can maximize learning outcomes and empower learners to apply their knowledge effectively in real-world situations. As training professionals refine their approaches, the goal remains clear: to create meaningful learning experiences that drive lasting change.

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