---
title: Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?
description: To effectively engage adult learners and meet their learning needs, the delivery has to be more than lecture. Here are six preferred learning styles.
image: https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/402.svg
---

[Skip to content](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks#main-content)

![people first productivity solutions logo](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png?width=250&height=108&name=people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png)

- [Home](https://peoplefirstps.com)
- [Leadership](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
  
  Show submenu for Leadership 
  
    - [The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)
    - [The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)
    - [Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)
    - [Leaders at Every Level](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)
    - [Leadership Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)
    - [Leadership Program Design](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
- [Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
  
  Show submenu for Teams 
  
    - [Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
    - [Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)
    - [People Practices](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)
    - [Communication Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)
    - [Trust at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)
    - [Personality Style](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)
    - [Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)
- Personal Growth
  
  Show submenu for Personal Growth 
  
    - [Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)
    - [Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)
    - [Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)
    - [1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [The People First Leadership Academy](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)
    - [Connect2Lead Newsletter](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)
    - [Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)
    - [Workshop Calendar](https://peoplefirstps.com/workshop-calendar)
- [About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)
- [Contact](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Home](https://peoplefirstps.com)
- [Leadership](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
  
  Show submenu for Leadership 
  
    - [The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)
    - [The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)
    - [Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)
    - [Leaders at Every Level](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)
    - [Leadership Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)
    - [Leadership Program Design](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
- [Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
  
  Show submenu for Teams 
  
    - [Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
    - [Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)
    - [People Practices](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)
    - [Communication Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)
    - [Trust at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)
    - [Personality Style](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)
    - [Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)
- Personal Growth
  
  Show submenu for Personal Growth 
  
    - [Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)
    - [Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)
    - [Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)
    - [1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [The People First Leadership Academy](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)
    - [Connect2Lead Newsletter](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)
    - [Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)
    - [Workshop Calendar](https://peoplefirstps.com/workshop-calendar)
- [About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)
- [Contact](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

[All posts](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/all)

 July 7, 2012

# Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

[PFPS](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/rca532)  ·   3 minute read

College professors share a pet peeve. They don’t like it when the students attending their lectures spend time on-screen instead of giving them their rapt attention.

One professor from Northwestern told me his strategy is to turn down the lights so he can see the ominous glow of a cell phone that’s meant to be concealed in a student’s lap. A Cornell professor addressing a group I facilitate recently shared that he stands at the back of the room when other professors are on stage and, from that vantage point, he’s seen online porn and a wide variety of other non-academic pursuits during lectures.

At a state college, I’m told that large lecture halls no longer have wireless access and that there is a movement toward blocking cell phone reception, too. Even professors who make their lectures available as podcasts feel strongly that students should pay attention during their live lectures.

I think these professors and schools have it all wrong.

The problem isn’t that students have access. It’s that they use it. They aren’t engaged enough in the lecture to want to focus fully on what’s being said. (By the way, this may also be true in high schools or even middle schools!)

In most college classes, teaching is the focus. Not learning. Not on how to effectively engage adult learners.

Science tells us that there are six preferred learning styles of adults. Only a small percentage of us actually learn by hearing (lecture format). Despite that undisputed fact, most college professors lecture. Most colleges pack lecture halls so that lecture is the only way to deliver content. And then they wonder why students check out during these lectures.

To meet the learning needs of adults, the delivery style has to be more than lecture. Some adult learners are visual (PowerPoint slides and overhead projectors help but are not the only thing visual learners need). Some adult learners prefer interactive or kinesthetic or hands-on experiences, something that lectures prohibit by their very nature. Other adult learners need an opportunity to write what they hear – but PowerPoint slides and handouts make it seem silly or like overkill to take notes, so they don’t.

These experiences are frustrating for learners. So frustrating, in fact, that once people have graduated and entered the work force, they may shy away from new learning opportunities. Negative associations with teaching cause some people to fear and loathe even the idea of training.  They feel that those college classes were a waste of time, that they learned more in study groups or labs or from books than they learned from professors during lectures. They assume that training, too, will be a waste of time.

This is why we’ve come to believe that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The “old dogs” don’t want to be subjected to more pedagogical teaching.

Here’s the problem. The world around us is changing at an unprecedented pace. Few jobs require the same skills today that they did a decade ago. Competition is fierce, and only the best products sold and serviced and developed by the best people will survive. Companies need nimble employees who are open to learning and ongoing development.

What’s more, people who are open to learning find more satisfaction in life as they move toward self-actualization. Their openness and interest in self-development give them opportunities that others simply miss out on. Those who think they know it all (or know all they need to know to get by) limit themselves and the people around them.

We need “old dogs” who have experience and knowledge and historical perspective. (Incidentally, I am calling anyone who isn’t fresh out of school an “old dog.”) But we need old dogs who are ready, willing and able to learn new tricks. Each of us who are old dogs can decide to open ourselves up to quality learning experiences, to humbly accept the fact that we need to continually develop ourselves, and to seek out new tricks instead of clinging to our old ones.

Changing ourselves is going to be much easier than changing our antiquated education systems that focus on teaching. Their outdated methods are the direct result of old dogs not learning new tricks.

*[![How to engage adult learners](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CONNECT-2-Lead-graphic-smal.png?width=100&height=53&name=CONNECT-2-Lead-graphic-smal.png)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CONNECT-2-Lead-graphic-smal.png)*As a leader, it’s imperative to understand why and how to show ever person that you care about them. Learn more about how you can* [CONNECT2Lead](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead)*. And Subscribe to our weekly CONNECT2Lead [Newsletter](https://peoplefirstps.com/contactus/lp)for special offers, content, and blog.**

Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks)

## Related posts

[![Graphic Showing People Raising a Hand](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/342%20-%20pick%20me-1.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/value-learning-2)

[CONNECT2SELL Blog](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/connect2sell-blog)

### [How Much Importance and Value Do You Put on Learning?](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/value-learning-2)

[![Graphic Showing Icons for Listen Learn Love](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/LLL-2.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/learning-culture-sales-employee-development)

[learning](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/learning)

### [Creating a Learning Culture for Continuous Sales Employee Development](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/learning-culture-sales-employee-development)

[![Graphic Showing Graduation Cap with Certificate](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/Graphic%20Showing%20Graduation%20Cap%20with%20Certiicate.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/encourage-learning)

[CONNECT2LEAD Blog](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/connect-2-lead)

### [Leaders Should Encourage Learning Opportunities](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/encourage-learning)

![PFPS](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/PFPS.svg)

### Deb Calvert, founder

Putting PEOPLE First since 2005 [deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com](mailto:deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com)

[PFPS Information](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)

![C2L](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/C2L.svg)

### Newsletter Sign-Up

Join the CONNECT Community for weekly updates, free courses, and bonus content.

[Newsletter Sign-Up](https://peoplefirstps.com/sign-up-connect-community)

![PFLA](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/PFLA.svg)

### Leadership Academy

Live, eLearning, pre-recorded, coaching, and assessment learning experiences.

[Leadership Academy](https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com/)

#### Sitemap

**Home**

**Leadership**  
[The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)  
[The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)   
[Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)   
[Leaders at Every Level ](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)  
[Leadership Coaching ](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)  
[Custom Leadership Programs](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)

**Teams**  
[Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)  
[Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)   
[People Practices ](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)  
[Communication Skills ](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)  
[Trust at Work ](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)  
[Personality Style ](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)  
[Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)

**Personal Growth**  
[Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)  
[Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)  
[Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)  
[Discover Your Strengths](https://peoplefirstps.com/discover-your-strengths)  
[1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)

**Resources**  
[PFLA](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)  
[Connect2Lead Blog](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead)  
[Newsletter Subscription](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)  
[Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)

[About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)

[**Contact**](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

facebook-f icon linkedin-in icon twitter icon instagram icon

```
©2023 People First Productivity Solutions. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission from People First Productivity Solutions.
```

 

 

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : [ "PFPS" ],
    "url" : "https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/rca532"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2012-07-07T13:00:19+0000",
  "description" : "To effectively engage adult learners and meet their learning needs, the delivery has to be more than lecture. Here are six preferred learning styles.",
  "headline" : "Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?",
  "image" : "https://2524398.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2524398/402.svg",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://2524398.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2524398/people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png"
    },
    "name" : "People First Productivity Solutions"
  },
  "url" : "https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/old-dog-new-tricks"
}
```