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Category: FACILITATION TIPS
As facilitators of learning, teachers and trainers are constantly honing their own facilitation skills. They’re known to share their best and favorite learning tips with colleagues. Trainers Warehouse collates best practices from a broad range of resources, focusing on active learning, neuroscience, participation and engagement, gameplay, live and remote learning, and tons more.
The Art of Difficult Conversations
Those of us who are conflict-averse hate difficult conversations. It’s no wonder that experts have started calling them “Courageous Conversations.” What makes them hard is: Uncertainty about how others will react Fear of it getting out of control Discomfort about opening a can of worms with no... Read More
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Responding Effectively to Incorrect Answers
I’m so happy that trainers and teachers are finally embracing the reality that lectures are not the most effective technique to transfer learning. However, as we try to make the switch and commit to asking questions rather than telling answers, we can create discomfort for the learners. Know... Read More- 0
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Active learning is not "Q&A Teaching"
Petra Claflin, Manager of Digital Media and head blogger for @YESPrep Public Schools, recently wrote about the “Trap of Q&A teaching.” She admits she’s done it herself. It looks something like this: Teacher: I’m now going to model how to solve this type of problem. Firs... Read More- +4
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Nobody Washes a Rental Car – Finding Motivation
I started off the morning looking for some motivational words of wisdom and fell upon Scott Simmerman‘s LinkedIn contribution saying, “Nobody ever washes a rental car.” And, “if you want a teenager to wash the car, make it hers or his.” The reality is, we’re more ... Read More- +5
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Get Up and Learn (without chaos!)
As the mother of a Middle-School boy, I keenly appreciate the need of students to be able to move around during class — especially with so many schools doing away with recess and cutting lunch short. Kim Marshall who edits the Marshall Memo, summarized this great article “Get Your Studen... Read More- +4
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Best Practices in Training with PowerPoint
Patrick Johansen asked some great questions about optimizing use of PowerPoint for training and got a ton of input. In particular, he asked about use of color, layout, and animation. Following is an organized synopsis of the feedback he received. First and foremost: CONTENT!... Read More- +8
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Great YouTubes for Learning and Work
Many times, people have asked what are the best movies we can use to demonstrate a variety of learning points. While we have lists of feature films that are great for training, many are looking for that perfect YouTube clip that is “safe” to play in the classroom. Following is the ... Read More- 0
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Shake off Presentation Nerves
Even seasoned trainers feel it — that edge of nerves that accompanies you to each new session or presentation. Despite my experience as a circus clown (yup, it’s true) and negotiations trainer, I still get a buzz of nervous energy at the start of an event if I’m training, facilitat... Read More- +15
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Constructive Criticism – an oxymoron?
About a month ago, Laura Catalano posted the following discussion on the Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group on LinkedIN: “Constructive criticism … why do people take it so personally?” She had an overwhelming number of responses. Many shared answers to the direct question... Read More- 0
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Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers – A Time Management Story
I just came across this touching time management story. Although it’s all over the internet and I can’t figure out where it originated, I still like it! A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a ve... Read More- +8
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LEARNING FACILITATION TIPS
Browse through tons of tips and tools that cover all aspects for training. Sharpen facilitation skills by understanding, for instance, how to:
- Use card decks for metaphorical debriefs
- Deliver interactive training on a tight budget
- Integrate games into content delivery
- Draw on brain science to develop effective training techniques
- Put Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset approach into action
- Draw out quiet learners and manage difficult participants
INSIGHTS, TEACHING TOOLS, & MORE
Beyond learning facilitation tips to help teachers and trainers hone their facilitation skills, Trainers Warehouse shares insights and product selection tools drawn from serving the training industry for over 30 years. While Trainers Warehouse sells 100s of training tools and toys on their e-commerce website, they share 1000s of free tips within this blog. Special interest categories include exercises and activities or popular training topics, as well as communication and relationship-building tools to help learners engage in meaningful conversations.
"EDUTAINMENT" GURU
Susan Landay, the President of Trainers Warehouse, graduated from Yale College, Kellogg Business School and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. She’s the perfect resource to help trainers and teachers balance fun and professionalism, education and entertainment. Her insightful thinking and careful research make the WorkSMART blog interesting and informative.