Chunk It Baby

A few blogs ago, I shared the five basic elements of instruction.  This flow enables efficient learning and accelerates uptake and application back on the job.

1.       Provide an intro (give context, link to the big picture, connect to the learner’s frame of reference)

2.       Provide content (in chunks that are “digestible” for the leaner)

3.       Provide practice

4.       Provide feedback

5.       Conclude (bring them out of the trees to look at the forest again, review main points and re-connect to big picture)

Let’s talk about Step 2.  In a phrase, chunk it baby.  Meaning, as you share information, be sure that you break the concepts or information or skills into “chunks” that are “digestible” for the learner.  (Digestible being enough information to keep them stimulated while not overwhelming them.)  What determines the simplicity or complexity of these “chunks” or “blocks”?  The learner’s familiarity with the subject. 

If they are brand new to the topic or skill, the information needs to be delivered in simple and brief chunks, pausing for Q&A and/or practice between each chunk to ensure understanding and uptake.  The more experienced your learners are with the subject, the more complex the chunks of information can be.  

Seems obvious right?  Yet this principle is ignored all the time. 

• Regardless of the person’s familiarity with the topic or role or responsibility, they usually get a bunch of information thrown at them and then someone deems them trained. 

• Plus, there’s the curse of the expert – once you are an expert at something, you forget what it’s like to be a beginner.  Literally, much of your expertise becomes automatic and unconscious. 

• You as the expert might think you are breaking things into simple chunks, when in fact you are already moving too fast for your learners sharing chunks of info that are too complex.

So, take a step back and consider the pacing and chunking that will suit your learners.  We’re back to know your audience – consciously pause and consider what they are bringing or not bringing to the party.  And ask questions during the learning process – whether it’s during a training session in a classroom or a 1x1 peer coaching session on the manufacturing floor.  Pause and ask the learner(s) how the pace is, what questions they have and what they want to review.  Again, set your learners up for success. 

If you want to chat about maximizing the impact of informal or formal learning events, don’t hesitate to reach out.  I love talking shop.