Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

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One-on-one interaction gives you opportunities to pace the session and tailor the approach to suit the needs and style of the learner. The use of written materials and handouts, summaries of important points, pictures, diagrams and videos can help you reinforce what you share with the individual. The frequent use of questions is helpful for assessing comprehension and to

provide opportunity for exploration and discussion. When group education is used, be sure to consider the potential impact of various teaching strategies on group members (31,33,55). Group discussion and problem-solving are great for many learners, but may be less effective or not effective at all for those who are introverted, who have had negative experiences in group learning or who lack the language or intellectual skills to participate actively in a group setting.

Group facilitator tips: • Learning is through

interaction. The group does most of the talking (80%). • Direct questions back to the group. • Provide positive feedback for effort (56).

Empowering discussion sessions also require more advanced skills from the educator than didactic lecture techniques. The educator must be prepared to follow the group’s lead and not rely on a structured curriculum (55). Not all adults are at the same level of independence (or desire for independence) in learning (57). Learners with more life experience may benefit from an approach that requires more independence and initiative; they may be ready for action-type interventions, while others in the group may not. It is important to have adults choose interventions that are appropriate for themselves. Most adults are motivated to keep growing and developing, but this motivation may be impaired at times. Teaching within context Learning does not occur in a vacuum. All learning is interpreted through economic, political, environmental, physical and psychosocial lenses. All learning is influenced by real time experiences. As we discussed in Chapter 2: Foundations of Diabetes Self Management Education and Support, adults bring experience to each learning situation and this must be recognized and linked into any new learning. Previously, we also reviewed patients’ perceived barriers that need to be understood in order for learning to occur. Along with these concepts the importance of culture and low literacy, including numeracy, should be considered in all planning.