Tip #817: To Go Virtual or Not
“You are doomed to make choices. This is life’s greatest paradox.” Wayne Dyer
Like so many of us, I am now confronted with the need to go virtual, to go silent, or to wait and hope that, once it comes, our healthy new normal allows group meetings.
My dilemma concerns a 6-day train the trainer program for both new and experienced trainers. The goal of this program is to both teach and model how to design, deliver and facilitate face-to-face interactive classroom learning experiences.
So the question is, can an accelerated learning program go online? Will the synchronous features of WebEx support a rich learning environment?
I want the participants to know how to set up a warm and welcoming … Read the rest
Tip #804: Train Your Trainers!
Tip #634: How to Ensure Consistency in Training
“The secret of success is consistency of purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli
When we conduct training- for employees throughout our organization or for customers in different locations, etc., we want to be sure that they receive the same message and leave with the same knowledge and skills.
There are 16 separate actions you can take to increase the probability that your training programs will be the same- regardless of when and where the training occurs and who conducts the training:
- Design a lesson plan that clearly articulates the learning goals and objectives, as well as the type and duration of learning activities to accomplish those goals. If at all possible, involve the trainers who will be facilitating the program so they have
Tip #574: Train the Trainer for Two Participants
“No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things.” Channing Pollock
I recently had the challenge of conducting a train the trainer program for two participants.
I feared that the learning experience would be less rich than it would be with a larger group. Much of the learning in any training program occurs during interactions between participants, both during the training and during breaks. Larger groups also generate much more dynamic energy than two individuals can possibly generate.
The small group would limit the number of perspectives that could be shared and the interpersonal learning that could occur. When … Read the rest
Tip #556: Everyone Appreciates It When Learning is Fun
“Is ditchwater dull? Naturalists with microscopes have told me that it teems with quiet fun. ” G. K. Chesterton
Even after all of these years of setting up training rooms to engage as many senses as possible, I still get nervous about how well it will be received by certain audiences.
A case in point: I recently facilitated a two-day Technical Trainers’ Toolbox in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. My client was the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA, pronounced IKBA) and the participants were from many different countries: Pakistan, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Great Britain are those that I can remember.
This is a serious and well-respected organization. Let me tell you what I learned about … Read the rest
Tip #555: Creative Learning Activities in Jordan- Part Two
“Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” Arthur Koestler
While in Amman, Jordan, I conducted a six-day Train the Trainer Program: Designing and Delivering Dynamic Learning for humanitarian workers.
The 6th day was focused on Facilitating Learning. The participants had to design and facilitate a 10-minute participatory learning activity, with the emphasis on an activity that they had never facilitated before.
There were some absolutely wonderful activities that folks created. The highlights included the following;
Heba created a game about the seven factors of communication. She split the eight people into four teams. The A teams at each table were given play dough and a secret message they … Read the rest
