Page 193 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 05 11/20/02 12:13 PM Page 182
182 The Creative Training Idea Book
INTERIM REVIEW
Take out a sheet of paper and draw a straight line down the middle from
top to bottom. On the left side of the line write the word DOING and on the
right side write NEEDED. Next, think of the program that you most often
facilitate. Look back on the environmental factors you just read about and list
the ones you actually address before your participants arrive on a regular basis in your
programs. On the right side, list the ones that you need to remember to work on in future
sessions. Use your responses as a checklist when preparing for future sessions.

Furniture

An important determinant of successful outcome of activities and training is the quality
and configuration of seating. There is an old training adage that says, “The brain can
only absorb as much as the rear can endure.” In layperson terms, that means have
comfortable chairs that are properly placed and do not keep learners in them for too
long. Depending on the room, size and makeup of your group, and planned activities,
you need to select an appropriate room configuration.
Where possible, choose furniture that fits training activities and participant needs.
Select rectangular tables that are wide enough for materials and task completion. Rec-
tangular tables are typically available in 6- to 8-foot lengths and in widths of 24, 30,
and 36 inches. I personally like folding tables that are 30 × 72 inches. These allow for a
variety of configurations and flexibility along with ease of movement and storage. If
learners are using computers, or if both sides of the table are occupied, 36-inch widths
seem to work better. Great alternatives to rectangular tables are round ones. These typ-
ically are designed to seat six to ten participants. I like to use the larger tables, but seat
only five to six people per table. This allows me to position learners in a crescent or semi-
circular configuration facing the front of the room so that no participants are seated
with their backs to me. Otherwise, some learners are inconvenienced by having to turn
around to face the front of the room and end up with no firm writing surface.
A third option is to eliminate tables altogether and simply use chairs. Although this
saves space and increases the number of participants you can get into a room, writing
surfaces and personal space are sacrificed. This latter element varies according to indi-
vidual preference; however, research has found that most participants feel more at ease
when they have approximately 10 square feet of personal space in any setting with theater
style seating. Therefore, space should not be casually dismissed just to increase num-
bers. If effectiveness and learning are negatively impacted, it may be a bad return on
investment. When using only chairs, make sure that they are ergonomically structured
to provide back support, without causing undo physical stress on any area. Adjustable,
cushioned chairs, and those with arms, are often preferable to hard, solid straight-backed
chairs.