Page 344 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:02 PM Page 333
Keeping the Communication Flowing 333
the audience is applauding, the speaker is mentally preparing opening remarks. You do
not need to rush in talking as you enter the room. Take your time, breathe, and pause
before beginning.

Use Gestures

As you will read later, nonverbal gestures can aid and impact your delivery. Gestures
allow you to channel your nervous energy rather than standing frozen not knowing
what to do next. Start out with a few simple movements, then get more creative as you
loosen up.

Use Creative Visual Aids

You have read about dozens of ideas for creating visual aids that sparkle. Use them to
assist in capturing attention rather than standing alone in front a group of strangers
feeling naked. The visual aids you choose can help divert some attention away from
you while they reinforce what you say. As people are reading information shown, they
are not concentrating all their attention on you.

Be Enthusiastic

My final tip is to be enthusiastic in every presentation. It is contagious. If you look like
you are having fun and enjoying the material, chances are that your learners will too.

INTERIM REVIEW

To practice your articulation and inflection skills and to review key points
you have read up to now, find a tape recorder and stopwatch. Start the
timer and recall as many of the concepts learned as possible while you
record your responses. After 1 minute, stop, verify, and review your answers. To
simulate a presentation start off with, “I’m here today to talk with you about. . . .”
In a classroom, you could do a similar review by forming triads of learners. Have two
people write each point recalled as one participant reviews and names key concepts.
Using triads versus dyads helps ensure that more points will be captured. Perhaps even
have the two recorders alternating and writing every other concept stated so that none
are missed. At the end of specified time frames have learners switch roles and repeat
until all three people in a group have done a review. Doing this type of review reinforces
the key concepts covered a number of different times and helps solidify the learning as
participants mentally review and repeat the concepts and as others listen and absorb
them.