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Category: FACILITATION TIPS

Give ’em a break

Give ’em a break

I know you’re reluctant to take a break because you have too little time to get through all the material you need to cover.  I’ve been there too. However, all of the research (referenced below) points to the same conclusion — your group will actually retain more if you do take a b... Read More
Making dry topics engaging

Making dry topics engaging

These tips were drawn from a number of LinkedIN discussions, focusing on how to make dry topics (accounting, insurance, technical training, etc.) more interesting. Perhaps the ideas listed here will get your creative juices flowing. 1. Your enthusiasm is contagious If you’re not excited about ... Read More
Maslow’s Hierarchy and Learners’ Basic Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy and Learners’ Basic Needs

In his 1943 paper, A Theory of Human Motivation, psychologist Abraham Maslow , [2] proposed the idea that a person’s most basic needs must be satisfied before higher order needs can be addressed. The needs he identified are: Physiological – includes air, food, water, sex, sleep, other factors to... Read More
Starting off right

Starting off right

Because first impressions matter, a good start to your training session can make a world of difference in the overall effectiveness of the learning event.  Several trainers have commented on the ways they prime participants for learning before they even begin. Before the Meeting Starts… Be in... Read More
Wait! Slow down.

Wait! Slow down.

Don’t be too quick to call on the first hand that goes up. By doing so, you signal to other students that they should stop thinking of an answer. Experts suggest that you extend your wait time to 5 to 10 seconds! This assertion is supported in several research reports, including: Journal of Re... Read More
Not Another Icebreaker!

Not Another Icebreaker!

This article appeared in eLearn Magazine in March, 2011. I was recently privy to a conversation about icebreakers—folks were exploring whether icebreakers are successful or not. I learned a lot about why some people love them and a lot of people hate them. On Thin Ice Lots of people hear the word ... Read More
Doodling approved by Doodle Research

Doodling approved by Doodle Research

First the Doodle Research Data! Doodling while listening can help with remembering details, rather than implying that the mind is wandering as is the common perception. According to doodle research in a study published in 2009 in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, subjects given a doodling ta... Read More
Facilitating Jeopardy-like games

Facilitating Jeopardy-like games

Jeopardy-like games can be an excellent tool to introduce new learning points or reinforce what’s already be covered.  These brief notes will help you easily facilitate and effective learning experience. Teams select game board questions with varying point values in each category (i.e. Sales ... Read More
Fiddles

Fiddles

Fiddles may look like toys to the untrained eye, but they can be serious learning tools. Below are some of the benefits your group will experience if they pick up a toy or two during the course of your session. Please know, the Trainers Warehouse collection of kinesthetic learning tools has been spe... Read More
Balls Throwables

Balls Throwables

Balls are playful by nature.  Since childhood, we have been taught to have fun with balls—playing catch, dodge ball, 4-square, SPUD, kickball, soccer, and more.  They are also terrific teaching and learning tools. The best balls for training should be “S.A.F.E.”: 1)      Soft: They shou... Read More