This Tip explains why it is important that trainers don’t start training programs with administrative details.
Here’s Why You Don’t Start Training with Administrative Details
How Most Trainings Begin
Most training programs traditionally begin with:
- a welcome to the training program,
- the trainer’s introduction, and then
- 10-30 minutes (or more!) focus on a long list of administrative and housekeeping details:
- taking attendance,
- handing out forms to complete,
- discussing how long the training is,
- where the restrooms are,
- how to get credit for the program,
- other training that is related, etc., etc.
The Beginning and Ending is When Learning Occurs
Brain studies found that the beginning and ending of any training segment is when learners are most likely to learn. According to David A. Sousa in How the Brain Learns, “During a learning episode, we remember best:
- that which comes first [primacy],
- second best that which comes last [recency], and
- least that which comes just past the middle [down-time].”
So to spend the very beginning of a training program on administrivia is not only a terrible waste of good learning time. It means that key learning content will occur during down-time, when it is most difficult for retention to occur.
Administrivia Does Not Create Excitement
In addition, we want to create excitement and enthusiasm about the training program.However,discussing administrative and housekeeping details in length at the beginning is definitely NOT the way to accomplish it.
Instead, get the participants engaged in learning new content-related information immediately. Save the administrative items for the down-time between the beginning and the ending of the initial training segment.
Does anyone have creative ways they handle administrative and housekeeping details, so they:
- do not get addressed at the beginning of the session or
- take very little time?
Please send them in and we’ll print them in the next Tip! Thanks!
Covering Housekeeping Items Thirty Minutes into a Session
Nancy Anderson of Hennepin County, Minnesota responded immediately!
Dear Deborah,
How interesting that you have this topic this week. Just last week I facilitated a ‘Leading Change’ workshop designed and developed by DDI. I was surprised at how the beginning of the course was designed:
- it began with a quick table discussion of changes that participants are experiencing in their work place, then
- we immediately went into a game/simulation about change,
- followed by more discussion and presentation of the course theme and materials.
Then, a full 30 minutes into the class, we covered “housekeeping” items. They were actually listed in the Facilitator Guide as “optional.” I, of course felt the need to cover them, but it was very quick–less than 5 minutes.
So. . . there is an example. I can’t take credit for it, but I can attest to its effectiveness! Feel free to share.
Using Ground Rules and Roles on Flip Charts
Terri Vetter of the American Cancer Society- Ohio Division, Inc. also offered these two wonderful techniques:
Hi Deb,
One way I’ve managed the important administrative details that are part of a training is to post flip charts before the session titled “Ground Rules” and “Roles.”
I encourage people to add ideas to the ground rules flip chart as they arrive. Since most folks are pretty savvy about training room expectations they know what to write & this becomes an easy “pre” session icebreaker.
The “Roles” flip chart lists roles for the day (e.g. Time Keeper, Note Taker, and Break Caller) along with a blank line for people to sign up. This also provides a visual reference of who’s responsible for what. If someone forgets to follow thru with their role, then the group can apply peer pressure instead of me becoming the “heavy.” 🙂
Print Administrative Details and Tape on the Floor
Lois Walton of Hazelden Springbrook sent in this wonderful suggestion:
The most effective and creative handling of such details I’ve seen was at a Bob Pike Boot Camp. The details were printed on a flip chart page, then taped to the floor where everyone entered the meeting. All participants noticed and read the sheet since they had to cross it to get into the room. It created much discussion. It also enabled us to take care of those details (like turning off cell phones) before the meeting actually started.
Nancy, Terri, and Lois, thank you so much for your examples and techniques!
Next week, we debunk the myth that participant introductions at the beginning of a training session are unnecessary.
