Fators That Influence Learning and Motivation

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE LEARNING AND MOTIVATION

Numerous factors can have a significant influence on a trainee's learning and

motivation during the OJT process. Instructional technologists should consider these factors

as they develop OJT guides. OJT instructors should be familiar with and use these factors to

improve their delivery of training.

Prerequisites--Trainees are more likely to learn something new if they have satisfied

all the prerequisites. Past learning may be the most important factor in determining success

or failure in learning. Completion of prerequisite tasks should be documented by the

instructor's signature(s) on the OJT checklist.

Meaningful--A trainee may be motivated by relating to previous experience, future

goals, interests, and values. Explain to the trainee how this subject relates to the job, his/her

previous experience, and how this increases his/her potential for advancement. The trainee

should then be able to see a direct link between OJT and the job.

Positive Conditions and Consequences--A trainee is more likely to continue learning

if the conditions during instruction are made as pleasant as possible. Instructors should be

aware of and try to minimize any negative conditions to which a trainee may be exposed.

The following negative conditions are often associated with OJT:

Trainees may be bored if the instructor does not tailor the training to the individual

trainee. Teaching material that the trainee already knows, or that is not meaningful,

will contribute to boredom. (Pre-testing and exceptions to training may minimize this

factor.)

Trainees may be frustrated by being given OJT when they have not completed

prerequisite training.

Trainees may be subjected to unpleasant physical conditions. Extreme heat/cold,

radioactive contamination, high noise levels at the job site (exposure to these

conditions may be minimized by the use of a mockup or simulator followed by

limited time at the actual job site), and distractions such as the presence of peers

during OJT may contribute to unpleasant physical conditions.

Trainees may be hurt emotionally. The instructor should make positive comments,

avoid making comparisons to other trainees, and never ridicule the trainee's efforts.

Trainees need to be rewarded (positive reinforcement) for their efforts; at first for

doing the task nearly correctly, and after proficiency is accomplished for doing the

task correctly.

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