Page 215 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 05 11/20/02 12:14 PM Page 204
204 The Creative Training Idea Book
GATHERING YOUR TOOLS AND TOYS TOGETHER
A final aspect of creating a stimulating environment is to ensure you have given thought
to the tools that you could use to reinforce and encourage learning. You’ll read more
about other tools in later chapters; however, let’s explore some options for preparing to
have some fun in training. Remember the fun you had in a toy, craft, hobby, or variety
store when you were a child? You could probably have spent hours just walking around
and trying out all the interesting things they had. And every time you went back, there
were likely new things to attract your attention. It’s possible that, like me, you likely
haven’t changed much. If that is true and you have not been to a store that supplies
toys, incentives, and other fun things in a while, take some time to do so. Many of your
old favorites are probably still there, as well as hundreds of new things! Here’s a partial
listing of the types of stores you may want to visit:

Toy
Craft/art supply
Bookstores
Discount department (e.g., K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart)
Closeout stores (e.g., Big/Odd Lots, or others that specialize in purchasing end of year
or stock from stores going out of business).
Greeting card
Warehouse clubs (e.g., Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or COSTCO)
Drugstore chains
Science/discovery
Teacher supply

As an alternative to visiting a store physically, you can scan through catalogs or visit
Internet websites of companies specializing in children’s toys or training aids for train-
ers and teachers (see Creative Training Resources and the Trainers Warehouse in the
Resources for Trainers in the appendices).
As you wander up and down the aisles, put some of those creative ideas discussed
in Chapter 2 to use. Examine things closely to determine how they could possibly tie
into a program or workplace theme.

BRIGHT I DEA
Brainstorming Uses for Fun Things
As you explore all the items you find, ask yourself these questions:
How could this item be used as an incentive to reward employees in the
workplace?