Personalized learning paths are the latest, greatest trend in training development. Instead of forcing everyone into the same cookie-cutter program, tailored training gives learners what they need, and how they need it.
We’ve all been there—sitting through a training session or in an endless manual wondering when it’s going to end. Maybe the instructor’s voice is droning on, or the slides are a wall of text, or (gasp!) the examples don’t relate to your actual job or machine. It’s enough to make you want to sneak out for a coffee break… forever.
Learning Styles 101: What Are We Dealing With?
Learners can usually be grouped into three main styles:
Visual Learners: They learn by seeing. Diagrams, charts, videos—they love it all.
Auditory Learners: Hearing is their (and my) jam. Podcasts, discussions, and spoken instructions work best.
Kinesthetic Learners: These learners need to get hands-on. They absorb information through doing—whether it’s practicing a task or using interactive simulations.
Most of us aren’t purely one style, but knowing your audience’s preferences can make a massive difference when developing training content or creating technical documentation. Think of it like choosing between a salad or pizza—some people want a little of both!
Applying Learning Styles to Technical Writing
Before we talk about personalized training paths, let’s take a moment to discuss how this applies to technical writing documents too! If your company churns out user guides, policies, and procedures that read like a novel from the 1800s, it’s time for a refresh. Documentation needs to be engaging for all learning styles to get people to actually use it.
Here’s how you can tailor these materials:
Visual Learners: For these folks, images are key. Infographics, flowcharts, and annotated screenshots in your user guides or operations manuals will help them understand faster than reading endless blocks of text.
Auditory Learners: Sure, technical docs might not always come with a podcast, but consider adding links to tutorial videos or short recorded walkthroughs. It’s an easy (and a cheap) way to mix things up and help this group of learners engage with the material.
Kinesthetic Learners: Give them something to do! Interactive PDFs or quizzes at the end of sections can help bring dry material to life. They don’t want to just read about how to do something—they want to try it and to test themselves.
Personalized Learning Paths: The New Standard
Now, let’s talk about training programs. The days of generic training sessions with one-size-fits-all PowerPoint presentations are long gone (thankfully). Personalized learning paths allow employees to engage with material in a way that fits their style. But how do you get started? Here are a few ways to tailor your training:
1. Create Modular Training Content
Break down your training into bite-sized modules learners can mix and match based on their style and pace.
For example:
• Visual learners can watch tutorial videos or scroll through infographic-rich slides.
• Auditory learners can listen to podcasts or audio recordings of the material.
• Kinesthetic learners can complete interactive exercises, simulations, or case studies.
Modular content gives learners the flexibility to engage in the way that suits them best, making the learning experience less painful (and maybe even enjoyable).
2. Interactive Systems for Kinesthetic Learners
Let’s be real—no one likes to read through 50 slides and take a quiz at the end. Kinesthetic learners especially need more hands-on engagement. Think about adding:
Simulations: These allow learners to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world
context. Whether it's practicing a task in a virtual environment or working through a scenario, they get that much-needed practice.
Role-playing exercises: Encourage learners to walk through real-life scenarios,
especially useful in customer service or conflict resolution training.
Adaptive systems like Rise and Articulate 360 allow for branching scenarios and interactivity that challenge kinesthetic learners without overwhelming them with text.
3. Incorporate Microlearning for All
All learning styles can benefit from microlearning— short, focused bursts of content that help avoid overload. Deliver information through quick videos, brief reading segments, or interactive quizzes that help learners digest small chunks at a time.
BONUS: Microlearning can be especially useful for technical writing content like policies and procedures. Instead of a 100-page manual, break things down into digestible sections with visuals, audio support, and interactive elements. (Yes, we’re talking about making policies fun!)
4. Bonus... Use Analytics to Adapt Training
Ever heard of adaptive learning systems? These platforms analyze learner behavior and adapt the training based on their engagement and success rates. For example, if a learner struggles with a particular concept, the system will offer extra resources—whether that’s an extra video, a quiz, or a hands-on practice scenario. Systems like Docebo and LearnUpon use data to personalize learning paths even further.
Making Learning Fun (or at least less boring!)
No matter what industry you’re in—whether it’s tech, healthcare, or even food service—investing in personalized learning paths can make a huge difference in your training programs. Cater to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, and use modular content, interactive systems, and adaptive learning platforms to keep your training fun, engaging, and tailored to each person’s needs.
And don’t forget—your technical documentation can benefit from this approach too! Whether it's user guides, policies, or operational manuals, incorporating varied formats for different learning styles will help your audience can use and enjoy the content.
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