Characteristics of Adult Learners: Small Groups

Research on adult learning has shown that most adults learn best in small groups. This makes students responsible not only for their own learning, but for the learning of the group. Students who grasp concepts faster help those who do not, and the collective experience of the group adds to the process of learning.

Challenge #27 - 2022 WFLDP Campaign

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Challenge #27: Effective leaders are proficient in the use of constructive feedback and positive reinforcement.

• Watch “The secret to giving great feedback.

   

• Watch “Feedback is a Gift.”

IGNITE: Surround Yourself with Diversity

“Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives who can disagree with you without fear of retaliation. - Doris Kearns Goodwin, historian/author

[Photo: Jennifer Myslivy/BLM]

Orientation to Learning is Life or Problem-Centered

Training and education must be attuned to the concerns of the students. Adults are motivated to learn to the extent that they perceive the new knowledge or skills will help them perform tasks or deal with problems that they confront in their daily lives.

WOR 2022 - Day 6

“Stepping on the ground of the South Canyon Fire was without a doubt the most beneficial training and learning experience of my fire career. It is our responsibility to study and learn the lessons from this event.” Staff Ride Participant

[Photo: Mark Skudlarek/BLM]

WOR 2022 - Day 4

It is clear that fire will continue to be an important resource-management tool. But it's a tool as delicate to manipulate as a surgeon's scalpel. Fire is also a ruthless and unpredictable teacher, as the lessons of Mack Lake demonstrate. We can only hope that future lessons will be learned in less-destructive ways, and will help us understand better how we can use a capricious natural phenomenon to our best advantage - and that of our planet. - Louis Borie, American Forest writer, July 1981

Remembering James Lee Swidersky

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]
#WOR2022, #honorthroughlearning, #neverforget

WOR 2022 - Day 3

 

I had a profound experience on the staff rides with Redmond. Putting myself in the shoes of the men and women who lost their lives brought an elevated level of humanity to the tragedies they experienced. For me, this highlighted the way human factors in fire can impact us. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to pay respect, think critically and learn. - Staff Ride Participant

Readiness to Learn

 Adults are motivated to learn when they feel the learning is relevant to their jobs or their personal lives. They need to know why information or skills are important to them, what they can anticipate learning, and how it will be taught. It is important to provide this information in the introduction to the lesson.

Challenge #26 - 2022 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #26: Effective teams ensure multiple perspectives of an issue and solutions are considered.

• Watch Paul Bridle’s video “Playing Devil’s Advocate.”
• Refer to Read Write Think’s guide “How to Play Devil’s Advocate.”
• Establish the use of a “Devil’s Advocate” as a regular part of your decision making.

IGNITE: Put Your People First

 

“Put your people first - today, tomorrow, forever.” – Jim Karels

[Photo: Justin Vernon/USFS]