Accelerated learning techniques provide the opportunity to deliver information more effectively and efficiently. Delivery methods should be focused on learner involvement and should be activity based to help ensure learner engagement.
Key Elements for Developing Delivery Methods for Accelerated Learning
When creating delivery methods, a learner-centered approach should be developed, rather than teacher-centered approach. A learner-centered approach shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the learner, and puts the learner in direct control of what they are learning. This approach is based on the constructivist learning theory that emphasizes the learner’s instrumental role in constructing meaning from new information and experiences. The theory is predicated on the principle that knowledge is not something a learner consumes or absorbs, but something a learner creates.
People learn best when they are actively involved in their learning. Learning is not a spectator sport, but a participatory one. Since knowledge is not something a learner passively absorbs, but something a learner actively creates delivery methods should be more activity-based rather than presentations-based. Give the learners some to do, and they will learn by doing.
Activities for Accelerated Learning
People have personal styles and preferences when it comes to learning something new. These preferences can be used to enhance the learning process for the individual. These different learning styles and different ways of processing information include visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Therefore, develop methods that will allow each learner to exercise his or her preferred style. For example, create presentations that offer both visual and auditory elements to satisfy both preferences.
The brain is not a sequential processor, but a parallel processor. People do not simply learn by absorbing one thing at a time in linear fashion, but absorbing many things at once.
People learn best when they have a rich variety of learning options that allows them to use all their senses. Effective learning methods engages them on many levels simultaneously. Therefore, a multisensory and multidimensional approach that involves the whole mind and body should be employed for effective learning. Multisensory instruction can be accomplished by focusing on engaging the whole brain. This means the instruction and activities should engage the learner on all levels including intellectually, emotionally, as well as consciously and subconsciously.
People generally learn better in a collaborative environment than a competitive one. A basic premise of accelerated learning is that all good learning tends to be social. People typically learn more by interacting with other than they learn by any other means.
Traditional learning emphasizes competition between isolated individuals. Competition between learners slows learning, while cooperation among learners speeds it.
Concrete images are much easier to grasp and retain than are verbal abstractions. That is why it is said; a picture is worth a thousand words. People typically remember visual images much easier and better than words. Using imagery can make learning more fun and effective.
The following are suggestions for making the delivery of information more engaging:
Links
Accelerated Learning Environment
Principles of Accelerated Learning
