The Learning Pyramid

We all know that not everyone learns in the same way, but what we might not realize is that there are varying levels of information retention based on the approach you take when learning something new. There is passive learning, which is what most people rely on, and then there is active learning, which helps people absorb information on a deeper level.

With passive learning, you retain about 5% of the information that you get from a lecture, and you move to 10% retention when you have a lecture and reading. Moving beyond that, when you combine audio and visual together, you reach about 20% retention. Most people think that’s enough when they are trying to teach others, but that really just scratches the surface. For example, if you were to train new employees for their job by showing them a PowerPoint with their job skills and talking about what is expected of them, do you think they would be ready to start working on their own immediately after that session? Or, would that serve as the introduction, and then you would move on to a demonstration? With a demonstration, you reach about 30% information retention.

Those are the first few tiers of the learning pyramid, and that only covers passive learning. In order to move into active learning, you would want to facilitate a group discussion about what has been learned up to this point. This engages people more by having them recall the information and allowing them to ask for clarification if needed at this point in the learning process. This takes you to 50% retention. But it’s one thing to hear about something, watch a demonstration, and then discuss it, and it’s another to actually put it into practice.

When you start applying the information that you have just learned, you reach 75% retention. The application of new knowledge is critically important because it helps you develop proficiency. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. After all, practice makes permanent. Once you have demonstrated that you know the information and can use it in the workplace, the final piece of the learning pyramid is to teach others. This brings you to 90% retention. When you are able to explain things in a way that makes sense to a novice learner, then you truly understand the material yourself.

As a leader, it’s important to keep the learning pyramid in mind when training others on something new. Do not expect them to go out on their own after telling them what to do just once. Instead, work with them as they learn, help them apply the information, and ask them to teach you about the new material. If it is a physical task, have them demonstrate it for you and ask them to explain each step as they go. This helps ensure that they are learning the material correctly and can help others when needed. This boosts productivity because they will do things the right way, and it helps with employee morale because you are taking the time to invest in their development, which decreases the likelihood of them feeling overwhelmed.

If you want to experience the full effects of the learning pyramid when it comes to leadership development, check out our online course called The Leadership Collaborative by clicking here.

-Meghan Slaughter