Page 292 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 08 11/20/02 12:50 PM Page 281
Making Your Visual Message Sizzle 281
Leave a sheet of blank paper between each sheet
of text to prevent participants from “pre-
viewing” the next page as you discuss
the current one. It also prevents damage Step 1
to the next printed page should your Step 2
Step 3
marker “bleed” through.
Use large pointers made of wooden dowel
rods with a black tip (available at craft,
teacher, and home supply stores). You
can also use arrows cut out of poster or
other heavy colored paper or other props
(e.g., plucked chicken pointer available
from Creative Presentation Resources in the
Resources for Trainers section of the appendices).
If appropriate, tear off sheets and tape them to walls for
future referral.
Put two-inch strips of masking tape on the side or rear of the easel for use in posting
torn pages.
Consider putting tabs (e.g., a strip of tape attached to the back of the sheet, then folded
forward attached to the front edge of the page) on prewritten pages to ease in topic
identification. You can then number or label topics on the tabs for easy location
when needed. The tabs allow you to refer quickly back to pages later in your presen-
tation and to turn them. Instead of tape you can also use the clear colored stick-on
strips produced by 3M. Reference the colors in your lesson plan or notes so that you
can easily find a desired page.
Always have extra markers and pads of paper available.
You may want to write comments or key ideas lightly in pencil in the upper corner of
the pages. This allows you to refer to them unobtrusively, as you appear to be look-
ing at the flip chart topics. Your participants will never know you “cheated” because
they can’t see the remarks from a distance!
A creative technique used by some experienced trainers and presenters is to use two flip
charts in tandem (together) during a session. They either alternate prepared images
between the two charts, or they have prepared pages on one easel and use the sec-
ond to capture participant comments or to add more information to a topic during
the session. If you plan to use two easels, I suggest numbering the easels (1 and 2)
and indicating in your lesson plan or session notes which easel you will use to make
a point. This can prevent embarrassing confusion during your presentation. The
other key is to PRACTICE with your easels before participants arrive. I find it help-
ful to have a set of similar colored markers on both easels. This prevents me from
carrying a marker used to the other easel and leaving it, only to be without it when
I return to the second easel later.