Page 151 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 04 11/20/02 12:00 PM Page 140
140 The Creative Training Idea Book
this was done with a couple of simple facts that you could phrase as a question to intro-
duce a training program.
Graphic images can also be powerful. For example, when I used to teach courses on
firearms safety, I would often use graphic photographs of body parts that had been
injured through careless handling of weapons. This immediately gave the AVARFM to
each participant, who now were focused on the fact that if they failed to listen effec-
tively, they or someone else could be seriously injured or killed.
A third effective technique that I have used in the past is role-play. I used to teach
identification techniques to law enforcement officers in a classroom that had a door to
the left and right at the front. As I was beginning my introductory remarks, the door to
my right would burst open and two people would come running and screaming through
the room, then out the opposite door. One person was chasing the other with a large
plastic knife raised above his or her head as if trying to catch and cut the other person.
As soon as they were gone, I’d say something such as, “Did you see that? What was that
all about? Well, let’s take advantage of the opportunity. Everyone take out a piece of
paper and write down everything you remember about both people.” I then had them
form small groups and compare descriptions. Typically, their views varied significantly.
The learning point was that if they had trouble accurately describing an event, how could
they expect less of untrained witnesses at crime and accident scenes to do better? I had
them. In that quick activity they experienced a need to be more humble and empathetic
when dealing with witnesses. We then proceeded with the class.
You can build similar scenarios involving customer service, employer, employee, peer,
or other situations into your own training.

BRIGHT I DEA
Build a Reference Library
o have a variety of handy facts, figures, and other material available for use in
Ttraining, start collecting trivia, information books, and articles. A great resource is
the Internet, as it contains virtually any topic you could want to reference. When
designing your training programs, build in this value-added information as opening
remarks, team-based trivia competitions, energizers, or as additional information
related to the topic.

PUTTING YOUR BRAIN TO WORK: ACTIVITY
What startling strategy do you think works best to capture participant attention? Why?