Learning Burst Training Structure

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Each Learning Burst has a target length of 20 minutes (listening to the audio and completing the workbook). The student listens to the audio segment of 8-10 minutes. This is not a podcast but based on the late night TV show format such as The Tonight Show. It is a two-person dialogue in which the host interacts with the SME to discuss one topic/concept. The audio segments use the "edutainment" approach that combines education and entertainment into learning.

Next the student reads the workbook that provides further content that is supplementary to the audio segment. The workbook is written in the key learning point method where the student reads a topic (1-3 paragraphs maximum) and then stops reading and interacts with the content by doing an exercise. Learning Burst chapters are typically made up of 5-8 key learning points. Tables, charts, graphs, and pictures are used to supplement what is being read and was listened to in the audio. A 3-question quiz (answers are given in the Appendix) is provided to reinforce the learning and the Learning Burst ends with the student completing an action plan on how they will apply what they have just learned (sample action plan is provided).

The two combined (audio and workbook) make up a single learning burst.

I believe learning occurs while taking the course but truly becomes part of the learner's new cognitive skill set when it is applied and used. To that end I use simulation and/or case studies to reinforce the learning. An example is the simulation in the Business Acumen course. The business simulation is a fun, interactive, turn-based, computer business simulation designed to teach financial acumen, strategy, business analysis, and the importance of decision making. This is the capstone event to Business Acumen: Your Key to Success program.

In the business simulation game the student is the CEO of Angle, Inc. and run their company for 5 years competing against 2 virtual companies. They set strategy, execute annual operating plans, analyze financial statements, and judge how their decisions affect the overall health of the company. In the end, they will see your scorecard results and those of their competitors with one of you being declared the winner. Click here to watch a video of the simulation.

Finally, I have combined Learning Bursts in a global team environment combined with hosted web meetings to create a virtual classroom for students and have this cohort complete the course together.