Microtraining

Abstract: Most companies are confronted with fast changing learning demands and the need of new concepts. Companies very much overestimate and overinvest in formal training programs, while missing out the opportunities to foster more natural and informal learning processes. For informal learning to flourish it is crucial to develop flexible mechanisms which support this kind of learning, while avoiding the drawbacks that coincide with informality. The Microtraining method is being developed as a mechanism to support predominantly informal learning activities. Microtraining should be understood as a learning arrangement of about 15 minutes for each learning occasion. Each session contains elements like an active start, demo or exercise, feedback or discussion and a shared view on how to proceed. Such an occasion can be face-to-face, online or in mixed modes depending on the circumstances and possibilities. The concept is based on a number of theoretical considerations of which Social Constructivism is an important element, next to the notions of Connectivism and the Levels of Mastery. Microtraining requires an organisational framework to effectively apply this method relative to the learning issue, the skills of the initiator and the employees and their daily working schedule. In practice, it is shown that this framework helps to collectively develop solutions for workplace related learning with ample opportunities for information transfer. Microtraining supports informal learning close to the workplace, thereby increasing the learning capacity of the company. The Microtraining1 concept is being developed in the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci program of the European Union

Abstract: This study assessed the degree to which nursing students acquired and retained six generic skills of communication. Fifty-three second year female RN students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (E-group) which received microtraining, or a nonattention control group (C-group). All subjects completed both the Carkhuff Indices of Communication and Discrimination as pretests. The E-group then had approximately 25 hours of microtraining in six basic communication skills. Following training, each subject completed the Carkhuff Indices again, the Empathy Construct Rating Scale, and a 10- to 15-minute audiotaped interview in which she assumed the role of a helping nurse. Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated a significant main effect suggesting that the E-group performed better than the C-group when all the measures were combined together. As well, the experimental trainees performed significantly better than the control trainees on empathy, reflection of feeling, and summarizing. The E-group made fewer communication errors, asked fewer closed-questions, made more Good responses, and showed a significant increase in empathy over training. At the nine-month follow-up, while there were no statistically significant differences between the groups on any dependent measure, the E-group outperformed the C-group on all dependent measures.

Abstract: In addition to recent meta‐analyses, the goal of this article is to give a narrative review and a meta‐analysis of 20 studies into the effectiveness of communication skills training programs, using a cumulative microtraining format (CMT). The aims of all training programs are directed at increasing knowledge of social skills, extension of the behavior repertoire and change of experience of communication situations (reduction of anxiousness and improvement of self‐confidence). Four groups of trainees are included in the study: (1) students, (2) paraprofessionals, (3) clients with problems in living, (4) communication skill trainers. The results of our meta‐analysis are comparable with the results of other meta‐analyses. The strongest effect is found for knowledge, but the effects for behavior and experience are also substantial. Explanations for the strong effects are: (1) the careful analysis of communication situations before the development of the training programs; (2) the cumulative character...