Page 224 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 06 11/20/02 12:21 PM Page 213
Grouping Participants and Selecting Volunteers 213
Techniques for Dividing Participants
Now that you have brainstormed some possibilities, let’s take a look at some of the tech-
niques that I have developed or used regularly in training adults.

Toys/Props

Prior to participants arriving in the room, I decide how many activities I will use, how
many groups I’ll need for each activity, and based on total participant number, how
many people will be in each group. Once I have accomplished this, I’m ready to think
of ways to select participants for each group.
To introduce participants to the concept that I’ll be using props and techniques for
grouping, I usually emphasize at the beginning of a session that, “We’ll be using a vari-
ety of toys, games, and incentives today to add a little FUN to the session.” I tell them
that they’ll find toys and other items on their tables that will be explained when the time
comes to use them. I also tell them that the items are theirs to keep at the end of the ses-
sion. In doing this, I have rolled functionality and reward into one idea.
The following are some of the items that I use in a variety of shapes and colors,
often based on the course content. (Also see Creative Presentation Resources in the Re-
sources for Trainers section of the appendices.)

Eraser Shapes

Telephones are great for telephone and customer service training.
Light bulbs enhance creativity and brainstorming sessions.
Computers are perfect for software/PC training.
Sailboats, cars, planes, or trains expand the theme in
travel/transportation classes.
Numbers and letters of the alphabet work for any topic
area.
Seasonal erasers can be used during a specific holi-
day or special day just to add a festive note (e.g.,
Halloween—ghosts, Thanksgiving—turkeys, Easter—
bunnies).
Dinosaurs work well when teaching change programs
(reluctance to change).
Jungle animals are great for stress and time manage-
ment (especially if you can find ones in the shape of
monkeys—to illustrate “keeping the monkey off your
back”).

Ice cream cones relate to “licking the competition” or
motivation.