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Topic: Training Ideas for Instructors?

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Subject: Training Ideas for Instructors?
Date Posted: 8/22/2007 10:43 AM ET
Member Since: 1/21/2006
Posts: 125
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I will be starting a policy and procedures training class for my company. The topic is dry so I need ideas on how to make it an enjoyable and informative class. Any ideas?

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Date Posted: 8/22/2007 2:50 PM ET
Member Since: 8/20/2006
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Last Edited on: 1/31/09 12:40 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
texastech avatar
Date Posted: 8/22/2007 4:10 PM ET
Member Since: 12/15/2006
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Give them a task to do without policy and procedure to follow and then same exercise with policy and procedure.  Interesting to watch them go from the confusion and chaos to understanding, accountability and responsibility.  Especially those that learn by reading and doing.

Happy training.

Jim

 

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Date Posted: 8/23/2007 5:00 PM ET
Member Since: 1/21/2006
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Thanks!

Ideas from others are welcome too!

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Date Posted: 8/24/2007 9:52 AM ET
Member Since: 8/1/2007
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If it is possible, you might also pick a few of your co-workers to do a little role playing for you showing the right way and the wrong way to do things.  The roleplaying would liven up the dryness of the information and also make it more memorable.

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Date Posted: 8/25/2007 8:42 PM ET
Member Since: 1/11/2006
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Absolutely critical - 10 minute breaks every hour without fail.  I am a technical trainer and adults turn into complete biscuits after about 50 minutes (yes, there are studies on this).  You will be able to cover more material with higher retention rates if you provide regular hourly breaks.

Also, the 7 second rule.  Ask your audience a question.  Then say nothing.  The silence will be killing you.  Count (slowly) to 7.  Guarantee someone will respond (the silence is killing them too) and you can use that to launch a discussion of key topics for review.

Finally, use humorous examples.  This takes some preparation, but can really keep your audience listening.  I invented "Bucky the Network Admin" years ago and he is constantly doing the absolute wrong thing with the direst of consequences.  I have had students come into my classes and ask if I'm the "Bucky Lady". =)



Last Edited on: 8/25/07 8:43 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
LaurieAnne avatar
Date Posted: 8/26/2007 9:01 AM ET
Member Since: 1/12/2006
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If it is possible, you might also pick a few of your co-workers to do a little role playing for you showing the right way and the wrong way to do things.

 

If you do that, just don't spring it on anyone out of the blue! It annoys the bleep out of me to all of a sudden hear something like, "Laurie, would you come up here and help us out?" I don't mind participating in things or whatever, just don't put me on the spot! Sometimes I would rather not be in the middle of everything and you feel like at that point, you can't really say no without looking like an idiot.