Tip #10: Are your learners connecting?
Make it easy for your learners to connect with each other, the topics, and you as their guide. Plan for them to connect to each other, this lowers learners’ nervousness and increases the positive anticipation. Connections create community and a sense of community lowers the barriers to learning. Back on the job participants can use these connections to continue to support each other.
Here’s what I do:
#1 Create a welcoming and fun environment.
-Set up tables with 4 – 7 participants at each and make sure there is space for the participants to move around.
-Hang quotes, posters and flip charts for up-coming activities are on the walls.
-Put colored markers, highlighters, pens and sticky notes of various colors & sizes in paper bags or boxes on each table.
Engage kinesthetic learners by having toys, stickers, pipe cleaners, play dough, Lego’s and items that relate to your content such as wire, parts, credit card blanks, or play money.
#2 Learn everyone’s name within the 1st hour.
Correct pronunciation is important to your participants.
Offer prizes to participants who recall the names of their fellow participants.
#3 Create opportunities for participants to learn from other.
Mix it up - sometimes learners work together as table teams and other times have them regroup into new learning teams. Plan for 3-6 different groupings per day-long session.
#4 Be aware of the class’ needs and address concerns.
-Negotiate the start, break, lunch and end times for classes that run several days.
-For day-long classes negotiate lunch and break times.
-Hang a flip chart as a way to gather feedback about the session. -Participants can leave sticky notes about what is working and what could be improved, for example - great interaction, enjoyed the fishbowl activity, room too hot/cold, need water, can we go outside, etc.
-Review and address comments after every break.
#5 Give learners a way to celebrate their success.
-In a 3-day class I give a canvas bag, called our trainer tool bag. At the end of each day learners pass their bags around their table and everyone writes a positive note on each table mate’s bag and signs their name.
-In shorter sessions Workbooks, t-shirts, hats, other objects can work well – if you are training cooks, how about signing aprons?
Remember: It is all about the learners!
Marcia
Want more information? Check out Sharon Bowman’s newest book, Training from the Back of the Room: 65 Ways to step aside and let them learn.
Also check out my two new websites:
