It Takes All Kinds of Learners

You can expect several types of learners in any learning environment. First, there are the people who want to learn and who are there voluntarily. Yet, they have their own idiosyncrasies that can unintentionally get in the way of the learning. Next, some folks want to hone a skill or pick up new ideas. Even though they are present because they want to be, they also have their own idiosyncrasies and knowledge/skill/expertise that can unintentionally get in the way of the learning. Then there are the people who have been sent to your course by their managers. They have to be there, but they don’t want to be. Even though their bodies are in the seats, their minds were “checked at the door.” These folks, though, will do everything possible to intentionally disrupt the learning. Finally, some people will be in your course because they are taking a break from the daily grind. They really don’t care one way or the other about the learning, and their lack of involvement can disrupt the learning.

Regardless of which group a participant might belong to, all these groups have some things in common:

• They are trying to fulfill their individual needs and agendas, which may or may not be related to the learning experience at any given moment.

• Their individual agendas drive their own (and sometimes the group’s) behavior that can disrupt the learning.

• Facilitators tend to label these folks as difficult participants.