Robin Monakali

Robin started out with Conflict Dynamics as an intern. She now works with us as the Project Co-ordinator assisting in the delivery of major training projects and dispute resolution services. Robin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences, an Honors degree in Political Science and an MA degree in Conflict Management and Transformation, from the Nelson Mandela University. Her thesis topic was: “The management of conflict between employees: A case study of an Information Technology company in Johannesburg". Robin is passionate about serving and giving. She is a part of an NPO called Releasing Eagles, which is a development program providing mentorship for young girls and boys. Robin serves as a mentor as well as the regional mentor coordinator.

Conflict Dynamics uses a wide range of teaching methods in its training delivery. One of them is the use of videos. The aim of our videos is to supplement our training with an example of best practice so that learners learn not just by doing but by observation too.

We have three videos to purchase on-line:

• How to Prepare for, Present in and Chair a Disciplinary Enquiry
• How to Present in and Conduct an Arbitration Process
• What to Expect in Mediation

Each video is accompanied by a useful voice-over of what is you see as you watch. These are available to purchase HERE

Videos are a wonderful method of engaging many learning styles. A famous lesson from Confucius around 450 B.C highlights the importance of active engagement and learning: “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand". Think of a training course you have attended with a group of colleagues. At the end of the course, some of your colleagues may have thought that the course was an enjoyable and useful experience and others the total opposite. Indicating that different people have different ways of learning. However, have you ever wondered how we learn? How we approach a new concept? Research has shown that by becoming more aware of how we learn, can make us more efficient and effective learners.

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford (1986) have identified four distinct styles that people use while learning.

• Activists learn by doing and learn best when involved in role plays, group discussions and problem-solving. Activists learn least when listening to lectures and reading long explanations.
• Theorists like to understand the theory behind the action and learn by analysing and drawing conclusions from case studies and lectures. Theorists learn best when a subject consists of facts, models, and concepts that formulate a theory or system. Theorists learn least when an activity is unstructured.
• Pragmatists are practical and need to be able to see how to put the learning into practice through fieldwork and videos. Pragmatists learn best when they are shown techniques that they can emulate. Pragmatists learn least when there appears to be only theory and no clear guidelines on how to do something.
• Reflectors learn by observing, thinking and listening. Reflectors learn best when given the opportunity to review and investigate tasks without tight deadlines through interviews, questionnaires, and paired discussions. Reflectors learn least when rushed and doing things without preparation.

To find out your preferred learning style, the learning style questionnaire can be accessed HERE 

The difference in the learning styles above is the way individuals like to learn by either doing, applying, seeing or reviewing. The similarity is how individuals like to learn and that is by way of watching. Individuals are diverse hence the different styles of learning, however, all individuals have a preference for seeing and watching others do it.

Studies have shown that the use of visuals such as short video clips allows for more efficient processing and memory recall. The human brain processes videos 60,000 times faster than processing writing.  Videos are versatile and engaging content that gives us a real-life picture. The benefits of video learning consist of effective content that is transferred and recalled faster; videos can be watched anywhere in the world; one can pause, stop and rewind the timeline of learning; our eyes are given a rest from the overabundance of textual information and overall it is a richer learning experience.

So, hurry and purchase our videos so you can be a part of the learning too.