Clinical Educators Faculty Development Module (On-Demand)-Engaging the Adult Learner in a Clinical Training Environment

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar introduced Dr. Pete Bitti’s presentation on engaging adult learners in clinical training. Dr. Bitti, a PCOM graduate and experienced medical educator, discussed how adults learn differently from children and how educators can better teach in clinical settings.<br /><br />He reviewed three major learning theories: behavioral, cognitive, and sociocultural. Behavioral theory focuses on stimulus, response, and reinforcement, and is useful for tasks needing quick, standardized action, such as ACLS protocols. Cognitive theory emphasizes reasoning, reflection, and problem-solving, encouraging learners to think through scenarios. Sociocultural theory shifts attention from the individual to the group, using tools, simulation, and teamwork to improve learning culture and performance.<br /><br />He then explored adult development stages, from self-sovereign to self-transforming, explaining how each stage shapes how people interpret feedback, authority, teamwork, and complexity. He stressed that mismatches between educator expectations and learner developmental stage can create frustration.<br /><br />Dr. Bitti also covered adult learning principles, including margin, andragogy, and self-directed learning. Adults are motivated by internal needs, practical relevance, and immediate application. Finally, he discussed learning styles using Kolb’s cycle and noted that effective teaching should combine lectures, discussion, simulation, coaching, and peer learning to reach diverse learners.

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Engaging the Adult Learner in a Clinical Training Environment Recording

Keywords

adult learning

clinical training

learning theories

behavioral theory

cognitive theory

sociocultural theory

andragogy

simulation training