Training Resources Revisited and Revamped
Being an exceptional trainer takes continuous self-reflection and feedback, improvement and reinvention. And while we strive to improve our professional skills, sometimes it’s the quality of our training resources that could benefit from a revamp.
It’s impossible to conduct a captivating and memorable training presentation without well prepared resources. The resources and visual aids you use can be the deal breaker for total student engagement and a lack of imagination can be your enemy if you want to build rapport with your students.
Taking learning VAK styles into consideration when designing a learning program is essential to engage and interact with all your students. Let’s take a look at some creative ways to use simple training aids to make your classroom and sessions more memorable and interesting.
PowerPoint – The best PowerPoints according to TEDx are those that have less words and more pictures. A picture is retained by the brain, words are easily forgotten. Provide a handout with the content and use pictures to evoke memory of the content discussed instead. Pictures can be humorous, creative and reflect the learning outcome. Invest some time in using the design features and your PowerPoints will look amazing.
Videos – Videos are excellent visual aids and a great way to demonstrate a procedure or process, but they can sometimes be clinical and dry. Consider including a ‘what not to do’ or funny video to lighten the mood and bring in some fun. A carefully chosen video can demonstrate a point in a way that may not be typical and therefore makes it more memorable. This is where the magic is.
Flipcharts and Whiteboards – So you have a PowerPoint with few words and lots of pictures, now remember to utilise your whiteboards and flipcharts for content specifics. You can make lists, brainstorm and create opportunities for your learners to interact and share what they know. This interaction ensures that adult learners are involved in the learning process. Remember to use thick markers, keep handwriting neat and use different colours. Stick flips charts on the walls of the training room and use them for revision activities later in the week.
Music – Some of your students are likely to arrive to training with some level of anxiety or discomfort. They may not know who their trainer is, what the training experience will be like or what is expected of them. They may have learning challenges they don’t want to disclose or may not have been in a training room for years, so are nervous about their abilities. Playing music as students arrive to class can create a welcoming vibe, set the scene, and help reduce any stress your participants are experiencing. It’s important to help them feel comfortable as quickly as possible to remove any barriers to participating and learning. The type of music will depend on your group demographics so, choose wisely. My favorite for TAE is Motown and 70-80’s classics…
There is nothing new here, as you can see, but perhaps a new way to consider how these training resources are used. For every chunk of content, there should be an activity, visual aid, and a topic for discussion to keep your learners interested and learning. Keep these principles in your mind when preparing your next delivery.
Happy training super stars.
Janelle Manton
Senior TAE Trainer and assessor