Training-Games.com Issue 19 |
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| Learning CAN be fun. Training SHOULD be fun. Training Games ARE fun! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| If you are having problems viewing this newsletter, you may also view it online here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Happy New Year from TGI In this Newsletter... |
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Different Strokes |
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| I wanted to talk about different learning styles in this newsletter, because I came across a Learning Modality Self-Assessment instrument, presented by Robert W. Lucas in his book, The Creative Training Idea Book. I thought you might enjoy reviewing and perhaps using this instrument in your training classes. Lucas' book, The Creative Training Idea Book, is filled with active training ideas, with chapters on brain-based learning, creating a stimulating learning environment and engaging and energizing learners. In 1983, David Kolb (Silberman, Active Training, 3rd Edition) identified four distinct learning styles. These he labeled Accommodating, Diverging, Assimilating, and Converging. Mel Silberman in his book, Active Training, contrasts each of Kolb's learning styles, by indicating how an individual exemplifying each style might go about learning a new card game. Accommodators, Silberman tells us, like controlled experimentation, and in this regard would opt to play a simulated practice game to learn. I thought this was the methodology everyone used when it came to learning card games? Not so, Divergers, according to Kolb, are risk takers and prefer to jump right in and play, learning as they go. I would imagine you would need a great deal of confidence in your ability to learn quickly if you were one of Kolb's Divergers. I know that I am one to watch and analyze before I'm ready to play. This is because I am afraid of appearing like I don't know what I'm doing, and I am only confident of the fact that, early on, I really wouldn't know much and probably would get it all wrong. In this regard Kolb would call me a Converger - one who would prefers to figure things out quietly using their own reasoning ability by first watching the practice round. Finally Kolb identifies the Assimilator, who solves problems through inductive reasoning. Assimilators want to be comfortably guided to the correct answers, so they might first grab the game's instruction manual and read it cover to cover. Only then might they choose to jump into a real game. Abraham Maslow, many years ago, (1968) presented us with a Human Needs hierarchy. He pointed out that we have two sets of needs, one for growth and the other for safety. Maslow informs us that our need to feel safe and secure must always be met before we will reach for growth or try something new. This appears to coincide with Kolb's look at different learning styles. It should be of interest to trainers however, that an element of learning certainly appears to be the level of safety learners are experiencing. Perhaps a different take on different learning modalities has us look at the very way in which learners wish to be served new information. Learners may prefer, visual, auditory or kinesthetic instructive methods. Visual learners like sequenced presentation, videos and demonstrations. They prefer to write information down, so naturally they are big note takers. Visual learners use their eyes primarily to take in information, so like the folks from the great State of Missouri, the "Show Me State", seeing is believing. Contrast them with auditory learners, who are less likely even to look up during a lecture. Auditory learners rely on listening to learn and remember. They may also be talkative in class, which is a way to reinforce or rephrase learning simply by hearing themselves talk about the topic. Kinesthetic learners, on the other hand, want to learn by doing, and are impulsive to get active and involved in the subject matter. They prefer group activities, role playing, and want to touch and feel their way to understanding. And as you've probably suspected, most of us use a combination of these learning styles versus simply relying on one. Research by Grinder (1991), found "In every group of 30 people, an average of 22 are able to learn effectively as long as the instructor provides a blend of visual, auditory and kinesthetic activity" (Silberman, Active Training, Third Edition). The remaining 8 people are highly reliant on one learning style, and consequently, find it difficult trying to understand information presented using other modalities. It also appears that preferred learning styles may also be changing for new generations. Research by Schroeder tells us that younger generations appear to have a distinct preference for active learning. Sixty percent have a practical versus theoretical orientation to learning, and prefer "concrete and active" experience over "abstract and reflective" learning by a ratio of five to one. Here is Learning Modality Self Assessment Instrument shown by Locus (The Creative Training Idea Book, p. 55). |
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The letter with the highest number after it is your highest learning style or modality. The second highest score indicates your back-up style or secondary preference. If you have equal ratings, you are likely to shift between styles given the particular activity. Download the self assessment as a Word document. Click Here |
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What's New at TGI |
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| FREE PARTY GAMES DVD – Several years ago TGI produced a fun, Party Games DVD (for ages 18 years of age and older). The idea was somewhat unique. They are games that can be played during a party through your television set (operated with your TV remote). We sold quite a few of these for $12.99 however still have several 100 left in inventory. As many of you know, almost all of the games we sell are for use by trainers and teachers. Since we are no longer in the "Party Games" business we thought it might be nice to offer these to new and past customers. So if you've purchased from TGI in the past, or plan a purchase in the future and would also like a FREE Party Games DVD, just drop me an e-mail and I will send it on to you (Again at NO CHARGE, Happy New Year from TGI!) New PowerPoint Presentation Game – TGI is about to launch our latest product called the PowerPoint Presentation Game. In short, this game enables you to turn your PowerPoint Presentation into a game. The game allows you to easily add automatic scoring, fun sounds, and random team, question and game point selectors to your presentation. In this way, as you present, you can involve your audience in a fun and engaging game. This application will be available on our website next month. Click Here for a brief overview of the TGI PowerPoint Presentation Game. |
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| Products From TGI Contact [email protected] or call 602-750-7223 |
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Deal? Game XF |
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 Our Deal? Game XF is based on the popular television show "Deal or No Deal" except that participants must answer your training questions to keep the values they choose. Add this great game to your training program! All the excitement, sounds and tough decisions of the real game! Will they take a chance and buy the Lockbox or play it safe and take the offer? For full game features description, go to: www.training-games.com/deal_game.html (Single User License $ 99.99) Download free demo game NOW! |
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A Bit About Our Brain |
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TGI PowerPoint Icebreaker & Team Builder Game |
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| Here are six great PowerPoint games that can be used in the classroom or for online training, including: • Fun Feud • Match Game • 1,000,000 Pyramid • Star Cruiser • Ice Breaker Wheel Game • Team Builder Crossword Puzzle All the games will help break the ice, get teams working together and help people get to know each other. Single User Lifetime License $99.99 More Info or Buy Now |
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TGI's New Affiliate Program |
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| It's easier than ever to sell Training Games products and earn a generous 43% commission with our new affiliate program offered through E-Junkie. Simply copy and paste product links into your website. Those links direct prospective buyers to the Training Games site. Any product sold to a buyer that originated from your site will earn you 43% of their purchase. A sophisticated tracking system sends you an email each time you generate a sale. You can also log into your affiliate account at any time for detailed reports on your sales. To see an example of an affiliate site selling our training games, visit GamesForTrainers.com. Click here for more information or to enroll as an affiliate. |
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Famous Quotes |
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| Mark Twain - "Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." John Naisbitt - "In a world that is constantly changing, there is no one subject or set of subjects that will serve you for the foreseeable future, let alone for the rest of your life. The most important skill to acquire now is learning how to learn." David Hume - "The sweetest and most inoffensive path of life leads through the avenues of science and learning; and whoever can either remove any obstruction in this way, or open up any new prospect, ought, so far, to be esteemed a benefactor to mankind." |
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| Visit our Website at www.training-games.com Download the TGI Catalog |
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| Training Games Inc. Gary Trotta, CEO 4545 E Hedgehog Pl Cave Creek, AZ 85331 602-750-7223 [email protected] www.Training-Games.com |
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| PS.. The sole intention of this email is to introduce you to our company and our products. If you do not want to receive ANY future emails from TGI, please CLICK HERE to REMOVE your email address. We respect your privacy and believe in keeping the Web a wonderful place for all. |
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| © Copyright 2008. Training Games Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||