Why Practice and Experiential Learning Trumps Formal Training

In the world of professional development and skill acquisition, there's a growing recognition that traditional, formal training methods often fall short. While classroom-style learning and theoretical instruction have their place, practice and experiential learning are proving to be far more effective in developing real-world skills and driving lasting behavior change. Here's why:

1. Active Engagement Leads to Better Retention

Formal training often involves passive listening or reading, which can lead to low retention rates. Studies show that people remember only about 10% of what they read and 20% of what they hear. In contrast, experiential learning engages multiple senses and requires active participation. This active engagement can boost retention rates to as high as 75-90%.

2. Real-World Application Bridges the Theory-Practice Gap

One of the biggest challenges with formal training is the gap between theory and practice. Learners may understand concepts in the classroom, but struggle to apply them in real-world situations. Experiential learning and practice sessions provide immediate opportunities to apply new knowledge, helping to bridge this gap and make learning more relevant and practical.

3. Immediate Feedback Accelerates Learning

In a formal training setting, feedback is often delayed or limited. With practice and experiential learning, feedback can be immediate and specific. This real-time feedback allows learners to make adjustments on the spot, accelerating the learning process and preventing the reinforcement of incorrect behaviors or understanding.

4. Customized Learning Pace

Everyone learns at different speeds and in different ways. Formal training often moves at a set pace that may be too slow for some and too fast for others. Practice and experiential learning allow individuals to progress at their own pace, spending more time on areas where they need improvement and moving quickly through concepts they grasp easily.

5. Develops Problem-Solving Skills

Experiential learning often presents learners with real-world problems to solve. This not only helps in learning specific skills but also develops critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These meta-skills are crucial in today's rapidly changing work environment and are often underdeveloped in formal training settings.

6. Enhances Motivation and Engagement

Practice and experiential learning are often more engaging and enjoyable than formal training. The hands-on nature of these approaches can increase motivation, as learners see the direct relevance of what they're learning to their work. This increased engagement leads to better learning outcomes and a greater willingness to continue developing skills.

7. Builds Confidence Through Experience

There's no substitute for experience when it comes to building confidence. While formal training can provide knowledge, it's the repeated practice and real-world application that truly builds confidence in one's abilities. This confidence is crucial for applying new skills effectively in high-pressure or unfamiliar situations.

8. Allows for Safe Failure

In a formal training environment, the stakes can feel high, and failure may be seen as negative. Experiential learning and practice sessions provide a safe space to fail, learn from mistakes, and try again. This creates a growth mindset and resilience, which are valuable traits in any professional setting.

9. Develops Muscle Memory

For many skills, particularly in fields like sales or customer service, developing the right habits and reflexes is crucial. Practice and experiential learning help develop this 'muscle memory', making the right behaviors and responses more automatic and natural over time.

10. Provides Contextual Learning

Formal training often struggles to replicate the nuances and complexities of real-world situations. Experiential learning, especially when done in the low-pressure environment, provides contextual learning that takes into account the specific challenges and nuances of the learner's particular situation.

Conclusion

While formal training certainly has its place in professional development, the benefits of practice and experiential learning are clear. From improved retention and engagement to the development of crucial soft skills and problem-solving abilities, these approaches offer a more effective path to skill development and behavior change.

That's why a tool like Peak Mojo is a game-changer. It's like having a practice buddy for sales learning. Sales reps can roleplay different scenarios, try out new strategies, and build their confidence – all without the pressure of real-world consequences.