These Learner Types Walk Your Conference Hallways

Have you ever studied the people who attend conferences?

For the past couple of days, I’ve found myself closely observing the attendees of ASAE’s Annual Meeting and Expo 2012 in Dallas. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

The Variety Of Conference Learners

Most conferences like ASAE12 have an interesting hodgepodge mix of people.

Some hang out in the hallways talking and networking with others.

Some race to get to meeting rooms so they can find a seat. Some meander from session to session trying to find a speaker and topic that resonates with them. Some have an agenda to attend every opportunity and get the most of their registration dollar as possible.

Some set up flash learning sessions and network where they can. Some schedule business meetings.

Some avoid all education and are only there for the parties.

Six Types Of Typical Learners

Regardless, each conference seems to have some similar types of learners.

Here are six types of learners you will encounter at conferences and education programs.

1. The Spoon-Feed Me Learner

These learners want the one-two-three-step-list of what to do to solve their problems. They want it fast and quick. They don’t want the back story, the metaphor or any background information. They are on a schedule and just want an overview of what they need to know. They don’t want to think at all. Just spoon-feed me is their mantra.

2. The Shiny-Object Syndrome Learner

These learners have very short attention spans. They believe in multi-tasking even though they are just switching their focus from one thing to another and back again. They are looking for the next, best thing. Shiny objects distract them. If it’s not new, they don’t want it.

3. The “They Made Me Attend” Learner

These learners are required to attend and are skeptical that any education will meet their needs. They have been sent to the conference to get specific information to help them improve their jobs. They don’t believe that the information being presented is useful. They doubt anything will help them. They are motivated by extrinsic factors such as their boss or keeping their job.

4. The Fearful Learner

These learners are slow to change and adapt. They’ve always done it one way and are doubtful that they need to change. Change elicits fear for them. Everything presented sounds too hard. They need lots of time to practice new ideas and want to know that they will not lose their job by trying something new.

5. The Know-It All Learner

You know these people. They’ve been-there-done-that. They can one-up everyone else in the room. They don’t want to attend beginner sessions. Everything they hear is something they’ve already tried in the past and it didn’t work. They claim to get it quickly and don’t need much assistance.

6. The Open-Minded Curious Learner

These people are life-long learners. They have a natural curiosity of things. They listen carefully to everything said and consider if it applies to them. They share their new learnings with others. They are highly motivated and willing to change.

What are some of the other types of learners you’ve seen at conferences and education programs? How can you help these learners transition into curious learners?