Page 246 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 07 11/20/02 12:29 PM Page 235
Engaging and Energizing Learners 235
FACTORS AFFECTING ACTIVE LEARNING
Consider the following factors when you sit down to create activities and initiatives that
will involve and stimulate your learners.

Audience Makeup
Ensure that you choose activities and content that are appropriate for the group you will
be facilitating. Some activities (e.g., role-play) work best when participants know one
another well or are comfortable with one another. Talk to program sponsors and/or
participants to discern who will comprise your audience.

Participant Knowledge and Experience Levels

To build successfully on what learners know, you must first determine current capa-
bilities. You can do this through the needs assessment processes that you read about in
Chapter 3. Also, ensure that the planned activity suits the audience level (e.g., frontline
employee, supervisor, manager, or executive); otherwise, you can easily either intimidate
or bore your learners.

Desired Involvement

Decide how, and to what extent, you want to involve participants. Although much self-
discovery is possible, you will need to intermingle your own involvement with that of
your learners.

Available Time

One mark of a professional trainer is to be able to accomplish established learning
objectives and planned activities within the allotted time frame in a seemingly effort-
less manner. When selecting activities, ensure that the time limit set is realistic and allows
for successful completion and debriefing without intruding on other planned program
segments.

Training Venue

Take care to select a facility that has the space and equipment needed to conduct
planned activities. When possible, actually visit the site so that you can visualize layout
and activities.
Also, talk to the people who will set up that room to ensure that they understand
your needs. Do not count on a third party relaying your needs to the setup crew.