1. Identifying learning barriers
Supporting the Agency for Professional Development of Teachers in Serbia (ZAVOD)
Workshop
Identifying learning barriers
September 2016
Beograd
Prepared by
Univ. Prof Dr Viktor Jakupec

2. Identifying Learning Barriers
Learning Outcomes
The learner identifies general learning barriers and their causes and defines strategies to minimise/overcome learning barriers
Teaching Activity
Explain the main learning barriers incl. social, communicative (language, literacy), cultural, personal, motivational and their causes (practical examples, open forum)
Learning Activity
Identify and discuss the effects of systemic, institutional and personal barriers to learning
Present a checklist for overcoming learning barriers (group activity) 1

3. Identifying Learning Barriers
Introduction to Topic
Types of learning barriers
Causes of learning barriers
Overcoming learning barriers
Activity: Apply What You Have Learnt 2

4. Identifying Learning Barriers
Introduction to Topic
Personal
Barriers
Socio-cultural
Professional
Motivational
Lack of time
Cultural barriers
Lack of information about opportunities to learn
Lack of motivation
Lack of confidence
Social barriers
Scheduling problems
Lack of learning experiences
Language barriers
Administrative "red tape" barriers
Medical conditions
Social pressure
Peer pressure 3

5. Identifying Learning Barriers
Types of learning barriers
General Categories
Learning defences: General ways a learner actively prevents her/himself from learning
Learning obstacles: Beliefs, values, people or events that directly hinder attainment of specific learning goals. 4

6. Identifying Learning Barriers
Types of learning barriers
Learning Defences
Defending against learning because of sources
Defending against learning because of content
Defending against learning because of message delivery 5

7. Identifying Learning Barriers
Types of learning barriers
Learning Obstacles
Lack of importance or uncertainty of importance.
Difficulty in reaching a learning goal.
Stress in reaching a learning goal
Doubts about success
Lack of control (content, timing, assessment, learning mode, etc.)
Poor attitude regarding the goal (e.g. previous negative experiences)
Lack of support from others (peers, family, friends i.e. “motivation killer”)
Hassles, due to higher expectations, more work, and more complexity in your work
Lack of advantages 6

8. Identifying Learning Barriers
Personal Barriers
Common Medical conditions as barriers
Dyscalculia: A learning disability in which the person has difficulties understanding mathematics
Dyslexia: A learning disability in which someone has difficulties understanding the written word.
Dyslexia is sometimes called the "invisible disability" because no one knows a learner has it unless someone asks the person to read or write.
Dysgraphia: A learning disability in which the learner has difficulties with forming letters when writing. 7

9. Identifying Learning Barriers
Motivational Barriers
Fear
A fear of what people say, fear of criticism and judgement
A fear of not succeeding, fear of failure·
A fear of rejection
Adjusting to Change
Learners overestimate the value of the status quo and underestimate the value of what they may gain by changes. 8

10. Identifying Learning Barriers
Overcoming learning barriers
To be effective, any adult learning practice must incorporate, at its core, and allow to flourish, the fundamental and well-established principles of adult learning:
Learner centeredness: Placing the learner at the centre of the learning experience,
Flexibility in teaching-learning methods, assessments, content structure, etc. 9

11. Identifying Learning Barriers
Basic Strategies for overcoming learning barriers
Make training relevant
Integrate learning with the daily work
Discussing best practices and new ideas on a daily basis.
To find separate time for training, trainers of trainers need to demonstrate that learning is a priority.
Building purpose
New skills should be made immediately applicable to real-world challenges,
Make learning challenges seem worth embark upon.
Ensure that learning organisations provide trainers a reason to acquire new skills, by connecting the daily task to a larger purpose that is inherently meaningful. 10

12. Identifying Learning Barriers
Detailed Strategies for overcoming learning barriers
Overcoming Barrier 1: Independence
Independence is not taken for granted. It is critical to respect the trainees/participants’ experiences and accomplishments.
Overcoming Barrier 2: Negative Feelings About Training/Learning
Encourage learning by avoiding situations that “test” the learner or situations that have a risk of failure.
Overcoming Barrier 3: Preoccupations and mental distractions
Help participants to focused on the learning activity and their related experiences …2 11

13. Identifying Learning Barriers (continuation)
Detailed Strategies for overcoming learning barriers
Overcoming Barrier 4: Resistance to Change
Persuade learners the new ways of working and learning are more productive than the old.
Overcoming Barrier 5: Selective Filters
Adults only pay attention to what is relevant, interesting, or stimulating to them. Provide learners with a variety of learning activities and help to keep their attention and focused.
Overcoming Barrier 6: Unclear Motivators
The best training sessions satisfy learners’ needs, solve their problems and can be used immediately in the work place
.…3 12

14. Identifying Learning Barriers (continuation)
Detailed Strategies for overcoming / minimising learning barriers
Overcoming Barrier 7: Fear of Participation
Create an atmosphere that keeps anxiety levels as low as possible. Make no judgments, make positive comments to reinforce desired behaviour, and only offer constructive criticism.
Overcoming Barrier 8: Strongly Established Habits and Tastes
Introduce new learning concepts without producing hostility and resistance. Maintain a conducive learning climate. Introduce habitual changes gradually
Overcoming Barrier 9: Fear of Failure
Place the emphasis on personal improvement of individual participant and provide support 13

15. Identifying Learning Barriers
Activities
Participants to chose a real-life problem, project, or issue
Define and select a select number of possible barriers
Develop strategies to minimise these barriers
Justify they strategies (group activity)
Present findings to other groups 14