Page 184 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning
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lucas chap 05  11/20/02  12:13 PM  Page 173
                                                               Creating a Stimulating Learning Environment   173
                                   To ensure that a problem does not occur and that learners can hear you, do a sound
                                check from various points in the room before participants arrive. If there is an area in
                                which sound is muffled, try to avoid putting participants in that section or make sure
                                you can be heard by using a microphone, repositioning yourself, and directing com-
                                ments toward those learners. In doing your sound check, test all of your training aids
                                (e.g., video or music) to ensure that the volume is loud enough to carry to every point
                                of the room. Also, if you are presenting to a large audience or in a large room, consider
                                putting a stand-up microphone in the middle of the room so that anyone asking a ques-
                                tion can use it and be heard by others. An option to this is for you to repeat questions
                                asked by participants before answering them. In addition, try a short practice where you
                                use your normal presentation voice and have someone stand in various parts of the
                                room to see if you can be heard easily.
                                   Another element that impacts your ability to be heard is the noise level in the room.
                                If you can do so, eliminate any excessive or unnecessary noise from air conditioners,
                                heating, ventilation, or other sources. Many older models of projectors have noisy
                                cooling fans that can generate a distracting humming sound. Try to either upgrade to a
                                quieter model or turn the projector off when not using it to make a point. One strategy
                                that is employed by many organizations for noise reduction is to pump in white noise
                                or other low-frequency sound to mute room noise.
                                   Participants also contribute to noise levels by using cell phones and beepers and by
                                having side conversations or speaking in loud voices during small group activities. This
                                type of noise can actually cue you that learners have completed a small group task
                                because when participants finish discussing an assigned topic, they will typically begin
                                networking, laughing, and in other ways causing the noise level to escalate. At any rate,
                                all distracting noise should be controlled or eliminated to the best of your ability to
                                enhance the learning experience.

                                External Noise

                                Other sources of noise include people and things outside the room, such as passers by;
                                maintenance, custodial, or catering workers performing tasks; or passing vehicles. Dis-
                                tractions in the form of noise can detract from learning by causing participants to refo-
                                cus their attention or take their minds off the task. Typically, external noise is generated
                                from people or equipment in and around the classroom. You should try to minimize
                                or eliminate such distractions. The following suggestions can help accomplish this:


                                Where possible, do not position training rooms near roadways,  construction areas,
                                   lunch tables, building entrances, or other locations where people gather.
                                Select rooms that have acoustic tiles on the ceilings, carpet on the floor, and cloth cover-
                                   ings on the walls in order to absorb excess noise.

                                Use audiovisual equipment that is well maintained and that does not create excess noise
                                   (e.g., fans).
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