ENGAGED EDUCATION – AT A SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCE Adapting to the “new abnormal” with simple techniques based on adult learning theory By Molly Marsh
P
erhaps the best way to anticipate what is next for the meetings industry as we emerge from COVID-19 isolation is what I heard recently described as the new abnormal. From new cleaning and sanitation protocols for event spaces to social distancing recommendations, from food service to the way we greet one another, it seems like almost everything about the meeting environment is going to have to change. Although the environment in which we are gathering is changing, the way our brains process new information remains the same. Using what we know about the adult brain to guide development of education sessions for meetings is critical to building dynamic and engaging conferences in the new abnormal.
knowledge to advance learning — and they can be used at a distance. They also support participants in relating to one another at a human level, triggering those parts of our brains that make us feel safe, connected and open to new ideas.
LEARNING IS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD
It would be easy to fall back into the habit of relying on lecture presentations in the post-pandemic environment. After all, one speaker, one microphone and spaced audience seating is the path of least resistance, right? However, since sitting and listening to a lecture is easy, it means participants probably aren’t getting much out of it. In Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, Peter C. Brown and his co-authors describe CONNECTION IS KEY how the brain learns new information: It may seem counterintuitive to go back Encoding (taking in information), to 1908 to address a challenge in the 2020 Consolidation (making sense of the meetings industry, but it’s worth it. Malcolm information) and Retrieval (calling on Knowles was a pioneer of adult learning in information when needed). the early 20th century, and one of his core Hearing a lecture is only encoding; some information is kept in short-term principles is that for adults to learn new It would be easy to memory, but most is simply lost. Written information, they must be able to connect to fall back into the reflection is a technique for consolidation their own experiences and context. Polling habit of relying on technology is a great tool to ensure content that checks all the boxes for us right being delivered is relevant to the audience, now — low cost, low tech and low touch. lecture presentations Speakers inviting participants to take and it can be used in a hybrid environment in the post-pandemic out a piece of paper and reflect on a to engage both in-person and virtual environment. … key question or takeaways from the participants. Incorporating polls that assess However, since sitting presentation provides the space needed the knowledge participants bring with them, and listening to a for the brain to begin making sense of the and how they are building on it throughout lecture is easy, it information received. Quizzes or games the session, helps attendees make the can play a role here too in facilitating connections between new information and means participants their learned experience. retrieval. By asking participants to test probably aren’t Social connection and peer-to-peer their knowledge of what was presented, getting much out of it. learning is another one of Knowles’ principles speakers are helping participants practice of adult learning — something that is recall. The more a learner goes through likely to be increasingly difficult with social distancing in these cycles in learning new information, the more likely it is place. Gaming and play were already emerging as trends to stick and have a lasting impact. in experiential learning, and they are even more critical to The tactics are not new — adapting to the new abnormal effective education now. Trivia competitions and choosedoesn’t need to be about investing in all-new technology your-own-ending scenarios are great ways to use collective Continued on inside back cover 58
FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2020 SUPERBOOK
