Questions Drive the Learning Process

We learn by seeking answers to our own questions. Our learning style describes how we prefer to receive information and where we tend to focus our attention when processing new information. Each style has a favorite question—a question that they focus more time on answering than other questions.

• Type One learners are most interested in Why?
• Type Two learners are most interested in What?
• Type Three learners are most interested in How?
• Type Four learners are most interested in What if?

Think about any information you want to share with others. Whether you are sharing the information in a workshop or a memo, focusing on answering these four questions increases the likelihood that the information will be understood and, ultimately, put to use.

Defining learner “styles” is a way to name the preferences that every learner has for different phases of the learning process. Having said that, it is important to realize that anytime we learn anything, we ask and answer all four of the questions.

Too much “what” equals low retention of information. Most training sessions focus a disproportionate amount of time on the question “What?” When the trainer spends too much time-sharing content—the “what” you need to know—little time is left over to create opportunities for the learner to identify what the content might mean in their lives. With little opportunity to reflect on the importance of the information, it is unlikely that the learner will exert any mental energy figuring out how to adapt the content for their use.

Recognizing learner style is a way to identify the part of the learning process that we prefer and tend to spend more time on. By designing learning that leads the learner through the answering of all four questions, we design learning that is both engaging and productive.

Putting it into Practice
When designing or delivering training: Begin by asking yourself what question(s) in the Learning Cycle do you focus on the most. Do you spend more time on the Why? The What? The How? Or the If? Begin thinking about how you can balance your attention on these four questions:

• If I put my own spin on this, how might it work better for me?
• Why is this important enough for me to want to learn?
• What information is available to be learned?
• How might I use this?

When preparing for a meeting or problem-solving session
Try using the four questions as a framework for the agenda:

• If we address this issue, how will it change our future?
• If we make these changes, what will be the outcome?
• What information do we have on this?
• What exactly is the issue?
• What data exists?
• Why is this issue important?
• Why are we here?
• How can we address the issue?
• How will we move into action?

Be Well,
Jeanine O'Neill-Blackwell
President/CEO, 4MAT 4BUSINESS