Partial profile · Book Profile — full narrative profile planned
The Art and Science of Training
Effective training is both a science grounded in research on how adults learn and an art of creative, flexible facilitation tailored to each learner.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
The Art and Science of Training reframes the trainer's craft as a deliberate blend of evidence-based practice and creative improvisation, all in service of one refrain: 'It's all about the learner.' Drawing on foundational learning theory (Knowles, Bloom, Gagne), cognitive and brain science, and decades of the author's own practical experience, Elaine Biech shows how to design, deliver, and evaluate training that actually transfers to the workplace. Structured around a series of questions—how do you learn, how do you design, how do you align delivery, how do you guarantee transfer—the book equips new and experienced talent development professionals to know the science and apply their own artistic touch, while preparing for a rapidly changing, technology-driven future of learning.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A trainer or talent development professional who wants to help others learn and improve performance while becoming an excellent, respected facilitator.
- The problem
- Learners don't retain or apply what they're taught, and training struggles to demonstrate value or transfer to the workplace. The trainer feels overwhelmed by conflicting research, jargon, and neuro-hype, and unsure whether they've mastered their craft.
- The plan
- Ground yourself in the science: learning theories, adult learning principles, cognitive science, and the 70-20-10 framework.
- Design and deliver learner-centered training using chunking, spacing, participation, feedback, and moderate stress.
- Prepare thoroughly—the environment, participants, client, and yourself—before every session.
- Ensure transfer by involving supervisors before, during, and after training and following up.
- Align learning with organizational requirements, evaluate impact, and keep developing your own competence, confidence, and commitment.
- The payoff
- Learners hear, see, feel, and act on what you teach, leaving with competence, confidence, and commitment. · Skills transfer to the workplace and improve performance, demonstrating training's value to the organization. · You are recognized as a consummate, expert facilitator who remains viable, upbeat, competent, and agile in a changing world.