Imagine struggling to remember the key points from a lecture just minutes after it ends.

Sound familiar? Traditional teaching methods often leave adult learners feeling overwhelmed and disengaged. But what if there was a better way? 

This article explores structured teaching, a powerful approach that boosts learning, retention, and engagement. Learn how to set clear goals, break down complex topics, and transform passive learners into active participants. Get ready to take your teaching (or learning) experience to new heights!

The Power of Clearly Defined Learning Objectives

Why Learning Objectives are Crucial: Clear learning objectives provide a roadmap for both instructors and learners, ensuring a focused and purposeful learning journey. For adult learners juggling multiple responsibilities, well-defined objectives help them grasp the material’s relevance and value, fostering motivation and engagement.

How to Set Specific, Measurable, and Relevant Objectives: Crafting effective objectives involves precision. They should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). For that use action verbs like “explain,” “analyze,” or “apply” to clarify expected outcomes and objectives are distinct and actionable.

Real-World Example: Imagine a sales training program where every aspect, from specific sales targets to product knowledge goals, is meticulously outlined. Picture participants gaining clarity on what’s expected, understanding objectives down to the finest detail. This precision fuels their enthusiasm, driving heightened engagement and measurable performance improvements

Chunking and Scaffolding for Better Understanding

Chunking and Scaffolding: Chunking involves breaking large pieces of information into smaller, manageable chunks, aiding comprehension. Scaffolding means providing structured support to learners, gradually fading as they gain proficiency, promoting independent learning.

Benefits of Breaking Down Complex Topics: By breaking down complex topics, learners can grasp and retain information more effectively. Chunking and scaffolding facilitate gradual learning, preventing overwhelm and promoting deeper understanding.

Step-by-Step Guide to Chunking and Scaffolding:

1. Analyze the Content: Start by identifying the main ideas and key concepts in the material you’re teaching.
2. Break the Content into Logical Chunks: Divide the content into smaller, more manageable sections based on themes, subtopics, or key points.
3. Present Each Chunk Clearly: Provide clear explanations and examples for each chunk to ensure understanding. Use visuals, diagrams, or real-world examples to illustrate complex ideas.
4. Provide Scaffolding Support: Offer structured support to learners as they engage with each chunk. This support can include:
   1. Visual aids/diagrams
   2. Guided questions/prompts (e.g. “What are the key steps involved in…?”)
   3. Step-by-step instructions
   4. Worked examples modeling the problem-solving process
   5. Checklists or job aids breaking down processes
   6. Recommended resources for further reading/viewing
5. Gradually Reduce Support: As learners demonstrate understanding and mastery of the material, gradually reduce the level of support provided. Encourage independent thinking and problem-solving skills by slowly removing scaffolding elements.

Example: Consider teaching a complex mathematical concept like calculus. Break it down into manageable chunks, focusing on fundamental principles first. Provide scaffolding through visual aids, step-by-step problem-solving guides, and practice exercises. As learners master each chunk, gradually reduce support until they can independently apply calculus concepts.

Example Chunking Plan: For a course on Project Management Fundamentals, you could chunk it into:

1. Project Lifecycle (Initiate, Plan, Execute, Close)
2. Project Planning Tools (e.g. Gantt charts, PERT diagrams)
3. Risk Management Processes … With scaffolding reducing at each chunk, ranging from thorough examples/templates early on to independent practice later.

By implementing chunking and scaffolding, educators empower learners to tackle complex topics with confidence and proficiency.

Engaging Learners with Active Learning Strategies

Importance of Active Learning for Retention and Application

Active learning strategies boost knowledge retention and real-world application for adults – it’s that simple. Passive methods like lectures tend to go in one ear and out the other. Adults need to connect new info to their experiences through participation.

Active learning gets learners thinking critically – analyzing, evaluating, and applying concepts rather than mindlessly consuming. It transforms boring theory into skills they can use.

Different Active Learning Strategies

Hands-on activities and simulations allow learners to practice applying knowledge in a realistic setting. Case studies get them thinking through scenarios and solutions.

Group discussions tap into peer learning – peers share diverse perspectives and learn from one another’s experiences. Role-playing builds interpersonal abilities through simulated interactions.

Problem-based learning involves learners working together to address open-ended, real-world challenges, developing research, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Example: For a marketing course, have teams research a real company’s current challenges, gather data, and develop a comprehensive marketing plan to present.

The best strategy? Combining multiple methods to accommodate diverse learning styles. An interactive mix beats one-size-fits-all approaches and passive lectures.

Tips for Facilitating Active Learning in Various Settings

• Create an Inclusive Environment: Encourage participation from all learners.
• Use Diverse Strategies: Implement group discussions, problem-solving activities, and case studies.
• Incorporate Technology: Utilize interactive polls and digital collaboration tools.
  • Audience response systems (Poll Everywhere, Kahoot)
  • Collaborative whiteboards (Miro, Mural)
  • Video annotation tools (EdPuzzle) 
  • Visual thinking tools (Coggle mindmaps)
• Provide Clear Instructions and Feedback: Guide learners with clarity and ongoing support.
• Adapt to the Setting: Tailor your approach for classrooms, online, or hybrid environments to ensure relevance and accessibility.

Success Story: How active learning transformed a specific course or training session.

North Carolina State University’s SCALE-UP initiative, created by physicist Robert Beichner, transformed large physics courses through active, collaborative learning. Instead of traditional lectures, students engage in group problem-solving and peer instruction. This method has led to higher engagement, better comprehension, and improved retention rates. 

The success of SCALE-UP at NC State has inspired over 250 institutions worldwide, including MIT and Virginia Tech, to adopt this model​ 

The Power of Feedback and Reinforcement

Why Feedback and Reinforcement are Essential
Continuous feedback provides a vital window into what’s sticking and what needs more work. Without that ongoing assessment, learners are left to blindly stumble over misconceptions.

Characteristics of Effective Feedback
Good feedback is timely, specific, and balanced – it celebrates strengths but also plainly names weaknesses, supporting them with examples rather than fluff. The tone stays constructive and motivating.

Techniques for Reinforcing Learning
Simply reading or watching isn’t enough. Reinforce through active recall practices like 

1. low-stakes quizzes and assignments requiring retrieving and applying the knowledge.
2. Space out that practice over increasing intervals to solidify long-term memory formation.
3. Other powerful techniques include role-plays and assignments with actionable feedback.

Example: Case study showing how feedback and reinforcement improved learner outcomes.
A middle school faced a growing problem with some students falling behind in math.
To fix this, they tried out a new program using tests that changed based on how students answered.(adaptive). The tests pinpointed each student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Armed with this data, teachers provided targeted feedback for each student. To boost engagement, they gamified learning with points and badges for progress. Remarkably, the program narrowed the gap and boosted student enthusiasm for math, demonstrating the power of personalized learning and gamification. 

Creating a Learner-Centered Environment

Key Elements of a Learner-Centered Environment: This environment supports adult learning by focusing on the learners’ needs and experiences. Important features include active participation, working together, and connecting learning to real-life situations.

Benefits of Respecting Learner Autonomy and Experience: When learners have control and their past experiences are valued, they become more motivated and engaged. This approach leads to better understanding and personal growth.

Strategies for Fostering a Supportive, Non-Judgmental Atmosphere:

1. Create a Welcoming Space: Arrange the physical or virtual space to be inviting and comfortable.
2. Encourage Open Discussions: Facilitate open dialogue where all opinions are heard.
3. Acknowledge Contributions: Recognize and value each learner’s input.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer helpful, positive feedback to guide improvement.
5. Show Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all learners with respect and promote an inclusive environment.

Final Thoughts

In short, this article we explored various methods to improve learning through structured teaching methods including clear objectives, structured learning, active learning, and personalized feedback. We offered practical tips and real examples to help educators create engaging classes. By breaking down complex topics and involving students actively, teachers can boost motivation and understanding.  

Respecting students’ ideas and experiences creates a positive learning environment where everyone feels comfortable participating. These simple but powerful techniques can transform classrooms for the better!

Disclaimer: While researching, the term ‘Better learning through structured teaching’ was used as a keyword. It has come to my attention that there is a book with the same title authored by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey. Please note that this article is an independent exploration, and any similarity in terminology is coincidental. This article does not contain content directly derived from the book.