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IT certification training: which type is best for you?

By Doug Upchurch, CEO North America, Insights Learning & Development

The wealth of training choices available for IT certification is overwhelming. Training resources have almost become as widely available as the neighborhood convenience store. But how do you know which resource is best for your needs? How do you know that you're not going to waste your time and money on a learning experience that might not be the best for you?

Contrary to popular opinion, training options are not "one size fits all." There are number of factors that can affect whether or not a particular training course or experience is right for you. The obvious factors are cost, information covered, and time available for the training. But there is another factor that is becoming increasingly important as the number of training delivery modes increases. The factor is your learning style.

Learning style has become an umbrella term referring to a variety of models and research on how people learn most effectively. The theory is that when a person understands their learning style, they can focus their time on learning experiences that fits their style. This can increase the effectiveness of the learning. It can decrease the amount of time spent on the learning experience. It can even increase the enjoyment of the learning experience.

For years, training professionals have talked about learning styles and for the most part, they have focused on a group referred to as Perceptual Modalities that includes Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic/Tactile. These styles refer more to how we perceive, or take in, information with our brain. For example, an auditory learner can hear someone explain a topic and understand it whereas a visual learner must see a diagram or read the words on paper. Finally, a kinesthetic/tactile learner must "touch" the topic or just begin doing it.

Although this is a very valid learning styles model, it isn't quite as helpful when looking at the wide variety of training options available for IT certified professionals. For example, almost any instructor-led or online training course has visual, auditory, & kinesthetic/tactile components to it. But how do you determine whether the online course or the instructor-led course is better for you? How do you know whether the online course or the ILT course will keep you more engaged and be more effective for you?

Motivation & Conation

There is an old concept in educational psychology that is beginning to make its way back to the forefront when it comes to the effectiveness of different types of training. The concept is CONATION and is best understood as it relates to motivation. When we want to learn a new topic, there is some type of motivation either internally or externally that gets us started on the learning path. Motivation is what directs us to register for the class or purchase the CD-ROM based training. Unfortunately, motivation only takes us so far. Once we have started the learning experience, conation begins to take over. Conation is an internal sense of striving to complete a goal. When a training experience meets our "conative needs," than that training experience has kept us engaged and learning in a way that is appropriate for us.

For example, there are many people that love to learn in collaborative, social settings where they can talk to the other learners, their instructor and work together with everyone. The type of experience that would best meet their conative needs might be an Instructor-Led experience with a high degree of collaborative exercises and experiences. On the opposite end of that spectrum is the group of people that prefer to learn at their own pace and typically prefer to learn on their own. An Instructor-Led experience would definitely NOT meet their conative needs, but perhaps a self-paced online tutorial would.

Think of motivation as the act of starting a campfire. Motivation is what gets the wood in the right place and gets the fire going. Conation is the act of keeping the fire going by adding wood and ensuring that it is properly stoked and maintained. If conation doesn't happen, the fire will go out. How many training experiences have you had where you were sufficiently motivated to learn a new topic, but because the training didn't meet your conative needs, your "learning fire" went out?

Imagine being in an instructor-led experience that is not meeting your conative needs. Although the content is appropriate, the way in which it's delivered is not stoking your fire. Due to our social conditioning, it's not very easy to just get up out of your seat and walk out of the classroom. Now imagine if that instructor-led experience was a web-based training experience. If a web-based training experience doesn't meet your conative needs, all you have to do is close the browser it's running in.

When all we had were print and instructor-led training experiences, conation wasn't a big deal. The lack of available choices forced us to settle for a learning experience that might or might not have met our needs. But with the wide array of options we have today, it is the IT professional that is in charge of their learning. We can choose not only from a number of different vendors and solutions, but also from a growing diversity of types of training experiences. Given these circumstances, IT professionals can choose a learning experience that meets both their content needs as well as their conative needs.

A Conative Learning Styles Model

Before we take a look at each of the different types of IT Certification training that are currently available, we need a model that will help us look at 4 different types of conative learning styles. The Insights Discovery Learning Styles System will allow us to do just that. Based on the psychological type work of Carl Jung, this model provides a simple 4 quadrant approach that allows individuals to identify their preferred, more comfortable, and less comfortable learning styles.

The model begins with a set of four color energies. Each individual has some degree of all four of these energies. As you review the adjectives describing each quadrant, rank each quadrant (based on the adjectives within) from 1 to 4 with 1 being most like you to 4 being least like you. These four energies are then mapped to the 4 Insights Learning Styles you see in the Insights Handouts.

View Insights four colour energies graphic

The focus of a conative learning style model is to help an IT professional understand what types of training experiences will keep adding fuel to their "learning fire." When you ranked the four colors earlier, the color you chose as most like you is what we will refer to as your Preferred Learning Style. The one that was least like you is your Less Comfortable Learning Style and the two in the middle are your More Comfortable Learning Styles. Let's take a look at each style and some of the characteristics of training experiences that will meet the needs of each style. Realize, as you read each of these descriptions, the lines between them tend to blur for individuals. For example, if Red & Blue are your top two colors, then you could see somewhat of a combination of the two styles listed in the Insights Handouts.

The Fiery Red style is really about immediate and practical learning. Their preference is that the training is focused on usable content rather than theory and research. Their learning motto could be described as "Get to the point." Their desire for step by step and actual "how to" information is much higher than their need for any agenda or structure. The Red style likes to be in control of their learning and hates to be slowed down by what they perceive as irrelevant information.

The Sunshine Yellow style is about collaborative and interactive learning. Their preference is that the training experience be experiential and social. Their learning motto could be described as "Get me involved." The Yellow learning style really prefers to learn with other people around them to communicate and collaborate with regarding the content and training. This style is very much about the experience. In other words, they learn best by getting into the experience of learning. They like to actually try out the topic being learned and really submerse themselves in the experience of it.

The Earth Green style is about the process of reflecting and reviewing. Their preference is that the training be structured and guided. Their learning motto could be described as "Give me time to review." The Green learning style prefers a training experience that allows them to sit back and observe and absorb the content. Their learning continues to the stage where they will reflect and review the information they've taken in and then mentally file it in the appropriate place of relevance. This style tends to prefer the more traditional agenda of learning with an introduction, content, and review.

Finally, the Cool Blue style is about the gathering and process of intellectual data. Their preference is that the training provides data, theory, and research that allows them to come to their own conclusions about the information and what is necessary for them to understand and know. Their learning motto could be described as "Give me the details." They enjoy learning on their own using reference materials and research for analysis. This style always likes to know the inner workings of a topic, or the "why's" and "what for's." Learning is very much of an intellectual and analytical process for the Blue style.

By placing these four color quadrants on a wheel, we have implied two sets of opposites. First, Red & Green are opposites. Yellow and Blue are also opposites. This indicates that someone who prefers a Yellow learning style will likely have the most difficulty learning with a very Blue training experience. For example, due to the Yellow style's need for social interaction and collaboration, they will likely not have their conative needs met by a self-paced study book on a particular topic. However, the Blue style will likely not have their needs met by a very collaborative instructor-led training class that includes lots of small group activity and simulation exercises.

By understanding your learning style, you can begin to evaluate which types of training experiences are most appropriate for your conative learning needs. We talked earlier about your Preferred, More Comfortable, & Less Comfortable styles. The table below explains each ranking and what that means for your learning preferences. The important thing to remember is that everyone can learn with every style, but we are more effective in our learning when the training experience meets our preferred conative needs.

Before we take a look at how the different categories of IT Certification training fit each of the four styles, I want to share with you one more way to look at the concepts of a conative learning style. The Insights Axis of Interactivity (view graphic) is a model that is laid on top of the four color wheel. It focuses on two axes that address a learner's preference for human interactivity and structure within their learning.

The axis going from Blue to Yellow addresses a learner's preference for human interactivity. The more they see themselves having a Yellow learning style, the more they will prefer synchronous learning experiences. The axis going from Red to Green addresses a learner's preference for who guides the pace and agenda of the learning experience. Those with more of a Red learning style will prefer to work at their own pace and not be slowed down by following some preset agenda. Those with more of a Green learning style will prefer their learning experiences to be structured and guided in a more formal fashion. By adding these axes to the wheel, we are able to more greatly define what types of learning experiences fit what styles.

Learning Styles & IT Certification Training

As we discussed earlier, understanding your own learning style preferences will help you to identify the IT Certification training experiences that are most appropriate for you. So how can you tell which learning experiences are best for individuals that prefer the Blue style or those that prefer the Green style? We will take a look at some of the categories of IT Certification training that are currently available and what their appropriateness might be for each of the four styles. In this section, we will focus on the following five categories of training.

• Print
• Instructor-Led
• Video
• CD-ROM
• Web

Now the challenge is that it would be very easy for us to say that the Yellow style will always prefer Instructor-Led Training and the Blue style will always prefer Print, but it isn't quite that simple. The reality is that no matter what the category of training experience, there are likely factors that are beneficial to all four styles. So let's take a look at each category and how each could meet the needs of each style.

Print Training Materials

This category is all about books. From the early beginnings of the computer, this has been the one method of training that has endured the test of time. Whether it was a textbook for a college computer class or a 1000 page tome from your local bookstore on the latest certification, this method provides IT professionals with an easy way to find information on the current information technologies. A nice thing about the Print medium is that it is fairly easy to find materials on virtually all technologies including some of the more niche topics. In fact, when faced with a particularly challenging topic, I'm known to spend several hours at my local book superstore trying to find the best book to help me with the topic and I never come home empty handed.

So how do these Print training materials meet the needs of the different styles? Books can be beneficial to all four styles, but when it comes to the Blue learning style, print materials are often the most appropriate. They allow the individual to gather information and draw conclusions on their own time and at their own pace. Most of the print materials are written from a Blue perspective with a focus on technical data and information that the learner must then consolidate and determine how they will use it. This component of detached analysis is a critical component of the Blue style. The challenge for the Blue style is that it might take several books or resources on the same topic before they are satisfied that they have all the information that they need.

The Green style can find this to be a comfortable method of learning as the author provides a clearly organized outline of what is to be covered and then proceeds to cover it in an organized fashion. This "facilitator-guided" learning experience is effective for the green style although it might not have enough opportunity for collaboration with others. Also, if the book is designed as more of a resource manual rather than training manual, the Green style might not find it as beneficial.

Print training materials are a less comfortable method of learning for the Yellow style except when no other training options are available or the learner is looking for a quick answer to a specific issue or challenge. Reviewing the book with others such as a test prep group or study group can enhance the learning experience. This collaborative approach to the material will help the Yellow style get more out of the experience as they can share it in a synchronous manner. The challenge for the Yellow style is that they often purchase the books, look at them once and then never look at them again. In fact, it's very common for the Yellow style to buy lots of books because they think it's good to have them on your shelf just in case, but in the end they never get around to reading them.

Finally the Red style approaches this category as if they're looking for the prize in the cereal box. All the Red style cares about is will this book give me the answers I need to do this task, pass this certification, or apply this technology. It is a comfortable method of learning for the Red style, especially if the index and table of contents are well designed. This allows the learner to find exactly what they need quickly. Books that are designed with either a step by step approach or application oriented are the best for this style. The focus should always be on how the learner will use this technology. Unfortunately, the Red style will rarely read through the entire book. Also, most Print training materials aren't practical enough AND technical enough for the IT Certified Professional with a Red learning style. There are lots of books that make tabs in a word processor practical, but much fewer that are able to do so with the advanced scripting technologies.

Instructor-Led Training Experiences

Older than even the Print medium of learning is that of an instructor-led (ILT) class. For the purposes of this article, I'm going to limit the definition of ILT to that of a live classroom experience in person. I will address web-based ILT in the web-based section later in this article. The ILT experience is one of the most prevalent and well-respected methods of receiving IT Certification training. The challenge with IT Certification training as it relates to learning style is that it really can be a mixed bag. Unfortunately, ILT is not standardized or consistent when it comes to what the learner will experience within a classroom experience. One class can be highly interactive with lots of group activities and simulations while another can be a one-way lecture from the front of the classroom broken up only by self-paced exercises. In order to understand how each learning style responds to the ILT experience, we have to consider all types of experiences that can occur within a classroom.

ILT experiences are most preferred by the Yellow style due to the opportunity for collaboration and communication with a group of colleagues. Earlier we showed how the yellow style learns best in a synchronous environment where learners are working together and encouraged to share and contribute to the learning. They appreciate opportunities to explore related topics and not stick completely with the agenda. Simulations and group exercises are also very effective for the Yellow style. Unfortunately, not all ILT experiences are like this. We all remember the class in college that was all lectures with little opportunity for collaboration. It's important to remember that these types of lecture-only ILT experiences will be especially difficult for the Yellow style, if not all styles.

The Red style is comfortable with the group nature of ILT learning experiences as long as it moves at a pace quick enough to suit their needs. ILT experiences that are brief, to the point, and action oriented are best suited for the Red style. The Red style tends to get bored and even frustrated with ILT experiences that do not stick to the agenda and stray from the practical focus of how to use this information. Even more frustrating for the Red style is the necessity of having to be in a class with people that are slower than themselves. They like to move at a quick pace and anything or anyone that slows them down is going to be frustrating to their learning experience.

The Green style can also be comfortable with the ILT learning experience, but for very different reasons. The Green style appreciates the structured agenda that comes with an ILT learning experience. The ability to be somewhat detached in the classroom and yet ask questions of the instructor when needed is very effective for the Green style. A multi-day, well-paced classroom experience is most ideal for the Green style as it allows for the learner to have time to reflect on the content and better absorb the information thereby increasing retention. If a classroom experience is too fast-paced or too group-interactive, the Green style might be frustrated by the experience and shut down. They have to feel as though they are supported in their learning and are not put in the spotlight or on the stage.

Finally, the Blue style is the one that will find the ILT experience less comfortable than others. This is especially true when the class is highly synchronous and requires group collaboration and communication. The Blue style can still appreciate an ILT experience as long as the focus is a theoretical and intellectual one. Remember that the focus of the Blue style is for the learning to be information focused so that it allows the learner to draw conclusions about the information through a process of detached analysis.

One summary point about ILT learning experiences is to remember that they are not created equal. It is important whenever you are considering an ILT vendor to ask to audit the instructor and company for several hours or even a full day so that you can see if the style of the company and instructor fits your learning style. The reality is that an ILT training experience is only as good as the instructor in front of the classroom, so check them out before you sign up.

Video-based Instruction

Although not as prevalent today as it used to be, video-based instruction is still a viable alternative to the ILT learning experience. However, unlike ILT, Video is an asynchronous learning experience. When looking at Video-based learning, it is typically a very structured learning experience that is preferred by the Green style. The nature of an outlined class with the ability to rewind and review is very well suited for the Green style. However, the lack of a live person to ask questions of when necessary might be frustrating for this type of learner.

The Blue style will likely see Video-based instruction as comfortable, however, it depends on whether the content is more theoretical and intellectual or more practical. In some cases, video-based instruction is challenged in trying to present all the theory and background of a technology and instead focuses on the steps necessary to complete a task. Like ILT, this is a category where evaluation of the product before purchase can be very beneficial to the learner, regardless of style.

The Red style will also see video-based instruction as being comfortable for them, however this is based on the inclusion of a good video index that allows for fast-forwarding to the sections of interest. Without this index, the Red style will be frustrated by having to watch the entire thing just to find the information that they are looking for.

Finally the Yellow style will see video-based instruction as being less comfortable for them. In fact, the lack of group collaboration will make it easier for the Yellow style to not complete the video learning experience. It is critical that the Yellow style is involved in their learning in an active way. Video learning products that include exercises might address some of this. However, the real solution for the Yellow style and video learning is to watch it with a group of friends and colleagues and plan some discussion and exercises around it.

CD-ROM Based Training

CD-ROM Based Training is another type of self-paced, asynchronous training that has become popular within the IT Certification Training industry. The Blue style prefers CD-ROM based training due to the ability it gives them to learn on their own. Again, like the Video based instruction, the CD-ROM learning experience needs to be fairly theoretical and intellectual for the Blue style to find it effective.

The Red style will find CD-ROM based learning experiences comfortable if they include a solid search engine or index that allows them to focus on the topics they want to cover. This is especially true of those learners that have a strong Red & Blue learning style combined.

The Green style will also find this type of learning to be comfortable to them as it allows them to review and reflect at their own pace. The structured nature of most CD-ROM based learning experiences is very effective for the Green style as it allows them to proceed through a learning experience at their own pace.

Finally, the Yellow style will see CD-ROM based instruction as being less comfortable due to it's asynchronous nature. Like Video and Print, this medium doesn't allow for communication and collaboration with others and it is easy to get distracted from completion. The one method by which CD-ROM based instruction can really engage the Yellow style is through effective and appropriate use of multimedia and interactive technologies. If done correctly, these technologies can provide sufficient experiential components to the Yellow style that they stay engaged through to the completion of the course.

Web-based Training

The last category of training that we'll focus on is the newest of the five: web-based training. Web-based training is somewhat of a unique hybrid as there are so many different types of learning experiences out there. Many of them combine both synchronous and asynchronous experiences within the same course. For example, a web-based course that includes both live chats with fellow learners and the instructor as well as a self-paced tutorial could benefit both the Yellow and the Blue styles equally. The challenge in evaluating web-based training for style appropriateness is that you must look very closely at the components within the learning experience. By now, you probably could write this section yourself, but let's take one final look at what each style will look for in web-based training.

When evaluating web-based training, the Red style will benefit from detailed indices and tables of contents that allow the learner to guide their own pace. As always with the Red style, the learning should also be very practical and action oriented. One of the key features of web-based training and CD-ROM based training are self-assessments that allow a learner to only cover the topics that they don't know. This is very beneficial for the Red style as it eliminates the need to cover topics that they already know.

The Yellow style will benefit the most from web-based training experiences that are either synchronous, such as online web seminars, or include a large percentage of synchronous learning components such as chat, video conferencing, message boards, or even conference calls. Unfortunately, most web-based training focuses on the asynchronous components and therefore is less effective for the Yellow learning style. Again, the important thing for the Yellow style is to be sure that the learning experience includes a method for communicating and collaborating with other learners.

The Green style will find web-based training (WBT) to be fairly structured and appropriate for their needs. WBT provides the learner with the opportunity to go back and review their work thus far as well as the opportunity to talk with the instructor or an expert when needed. The guided nature of most WBT experiences gives the Green style a structured path through the content.

Finally, the Blue style will find WBT components such as bibliographies and the self-paced tutorial sections to be very effective. Always looking for additional information and resources, the Blue style will appreciate the ease with which additional websites can be linked to from a WBT experience. Again the more asynchronous and theoretical the learning experiences are that have been included in the WBT, the more effective and appropriate it will be for the Blue style.

OK, So I'm Just a Rainbow!

Many of you are probably thinking but I have a little of all four of these learning styles. I'm just a rainbow of learning styles. You're right! As I wrote earlier, learning style is not an exclusive choice. It is easier to think of it on a scale of Preferred to Comfortable to Less Comfortable. You have all four colors, but it is important as you evaluate your options for IT Certification training that you understand where your preferred and comfortable styles are. This will allow you to be sure that the learning experience you purchase fits your conative needs as closely as possible.

There will also be times when you don't get a choice of what type of learning experience you can purchase. In this case, understanding your style will help you to be more conscious of where you might get distracted or find yourself losing interest. When we are aware of our learning style, it helps us to be more tolerant of learning experiences that are less comfortable for us. Style awareness is the next key step in increasing the effectiveness of your IT Certification training experiences.

As more and more choices for IT Certification training abound, the need for IT Certified professionals to be discerning in their training choices increases. I think that there are ultimately four C's to consider when evaluating your training options. The first and most obvious one is the Content. Does the content meet the needs you have for your professional development and certifications? The second one is the Certification. Is it important to you that the training experience certified and approved by the technology vendor? The third one is the Cost. Will the cost of this training experience be in alignment with the return on investment you'll receive from getting certified? And finally, the new one is Conation. Will this learning experience meet your conative needs keeping you engaged and motivated until the completion of the course? So, next time you're considering signing up for a new IT Certification training experience, find out how it meets your style, your learning style.

By Doug Upchurch, CEO North America
Insights Learning & Development

Written for Professional Certification Magazine. Re-published here with the authors permission.

© Copyright 1992-2003 Andrew Lothian, Insights. All Rights Reserved. Insights Learning & Development North America.

Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. Any opinions or views contained in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Training Reference.

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