Appendix C Factors That Influence Learning and Motivation cot'd

DOE-HDBK-1206-98

APPENDIX C

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE LEARNING AND MOTIVATION

Distributed Practice--A trainee is more likely to learn if practice is scheduled in short periods

distributed over time. It is a good idea to limit practice sessions to one hour or less with a break

between sessions. By distributing practice over a period of time, mistakes that are caused by

exceeding the trainee's attention span or fatigue limits during the practice session can be

minimized.

Fading--A trainee is more likely to learn if the instructor gradually withdraws instructional

assistance. Following the initial practice session the instructor should systematically withdraw or

decrease the coaching and helpful hints. The rate of fading is important: too slow and the

trainee becomes dependent on the prompts--too fast and the trainee makes errors.

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