"What does this have to do with the real world?" These words sometimes thought by students in the academic world should never go unanswered by technical training classes in the corporate world. In the competitive business environment of today, at a time when mistakes on the job cost a premium, the industry needs technical training that effectively makes the leap from the classroom to the job. Valid strategies for classroom learning transfer do exist. Classroom training must be made relevant to the workplace. This can be accomplished, for example, by providing context, building new information based upon old information using realistic exercises and simulations, applying memory techniques and referring to specific questioning techniques that relate classroom information to the job. In this paper, the research behind learning transfer as well as specific technical oilfield examples will be discussed. This information is relevant to industry professionals who wish to facilitate an effective learning transfer from the classroom to the field.

Adult learning presents a challenge for trainers and content developers. In many cases, technical classroom training consists of lecture-based slide driven presentations with no interactivity. Research indicates this traditional learning environment is not an effective method to promote knowledge transfer and long-term retention in adult trainees. Current adult learning research confirms that classroom time is most effective if lecture is interspersed with a variety of teaching methods, including group discussion and brief interactive exercises. Based on these findings, the service provider investigated an alternative instructional strategy. This paper will discuss current research and will give specific details on how to create an effective interactive classroom. Guidelines include changing the mindset from traditional classroom teaching methods to a student-centered learning environment, segmenting lecture sessions, and incorporating a variety of activities relevant to course objectives. Examples from various oilfield services technical training courses will be provided to model new course activities. This paper will help the industry design, develop, and facilitate effective training courses by describing an interactive classroom methodology to maximize knowledge transfer and on-the-job retention.