Page 305 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 08 11/20/02 12:51 PM Page 294
294 The Creative Training Idea Book
INTERIM REVIEW
Getting Visual
Review all of the techniques explored to this point for making a message
visual. Take out a pencil and paper and write down the one idea that you
think has the most value and that you can use in your training programs. Also, list the
reasons for its value.

VISUALIZING THROUGH CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS

Charts and diagrams come in many forms and allow you to communicate statistical
and other detailed information visually. Such an approach can
supplement your textual descriptions and really appeal to
analytical and visual learners. Many managers who are
pressed for time typically like and use charts and
diagrams to portray things such as numbers, trends,
dollars, percentages, and patterns.
The key to using charts and diagrams effec-
tively revolves around your ability to design and
explain what you create, as well as the ability of
your audience to understand it. There are several
excellent books explaining the different kinds of
charts and diagrams, their use, and how to create
them on the market (see Resources for Trainers in
the appendices). According to Zelancy, 32 “Choosing the
correct chart form depends completely on your being clear
about what your message is. It is not the data—be they dollars, per-
centages, liters, yen, etc.—that determines the chart. It is not the measure—
be it profits, return on investment, compensation, etc.—that determines the chart.
Rather, it is your message, what you want to show, the specific point you want to make.”
The nice thing about charts and diagrams is that many word processing and other
computer programs will create the image for you after you input the data. All you have
to do is hit the “Create” button and the computer will do the rest.
You can display your charts and graphs on flip charts, posters, in handout materials,
on job aids, and in slide shows. These help reinforce your message.

PICTURING WITH STICKY NOTES

Sticky notes are a terrific invention, which trainers and facilitators adapt for many uses.
In addition to using them to capture small bits of information from participants during
activities, they can be used to brainstorm, storyboard ideas, and do many wonderful