“Sage on the stage becomes guide on the side”

I heard these words at a recent luncheon hosted by Tagoras Consulting. Jeff Cobb was talking about the change in adult learning. Whereas learning used to consist of an expert speaking at the front of the room for the entirety of the presentation time, there is mounting evidence that learners learn more effectively when they are engaged actively (rather than listening passively).

Engagement can come in many forms, but in the end, this new style of learning requires that the thought leader moves from being the sage on the stage to the guide on the side, guiding learners in their learning journey, rather than lecturing them. It’s a dramatic change in learning.

If you’re a director level association executive responsible for education and lifelong learning, you’ll get all kinds of insights like this at the Leading Learning Symposium sponsored by Tagoras. Click here to learn more.

About Wes Trochlil

For over 30 years, Wes has worked in and with dozens of associations and membership organizations throughout the US, ranging in size from zero staff (all-volunteer) to over 700. In that time Wes has provided a range of consulting services, from general consulting on data management issues to full-scale, association-wide selection and implementation of association management systems.

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