ERASE THE GAP !

We’ve all heard a lot about the lack of basic skills in America’s workforce. But, have all of us read about it?

Nearly 40 million American workers can’t! They can’t even read this sentence.

Estimates range that up to 70 million Americans cannot even read at a level that would allow them to function fully in the workplace!

And, reading is not the only basic skill workers are lacking. Millions cannot perform the simple mathematical problems now required in their jobs.

How did we reach this crisis? The reasons are many and varied: a high school dropout rate of almost 35%; an education system that fails to address modern learning needs; and, a large influx of immigrants who have not learned sufficient English to fully function — to name but a few.

It is no secret that America is experiencing a basic skills knowledge crisis today.

While there are a plethora of ways to address this problem, a major solution is readily available for those of us tasked with training adults in our corporate settings. I’m talking about multi-sensory learning — the opportunity that already exists with well-designed CD-ROM and E-Learning training programs.

You’ve seen me emphasize again and again: “Most people are visual learners when it comes to skills acquisition. ‘Seeing’, ‘hearing’, and ‘doing’ – in combination – is still the best way.”

As I’ve pointed out many times: “Studies continue to reveal that using “seeing-hearing-doing” multi-sensory media (with full-motion video and optional word-for-word audio) will increase the majority of learners’ understanding by more than 50%, resulting in a 25-50% greater learning retention, and with a 50-60% greater consistency in content understanding – the ultimate aim of all learning.”

The Basic Skills Gap, so prevalent in our country, can be successfully addressed — and, one of the better solutions resides within the best of multi-sensory learning.

More on Tuesday – – – – –

— Bill Walton, Founder, ITC Learning
bwalton@itclearning.com

“THE WORLD RELIES ON THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”