Page 355 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:03 PM Page 344
344 The Creative Training Idea Book
Eye contact is not only a way for you to send emotional messages to your learners.
You can gain audience feedback by making eye contact with them throughout a session.
For example, by noting blank stares you can often determine when someone has lost
focus (MEGO effect—My Eyes Glaze Over) or it is time for a break (if large numbers of
people exhibit MEGO). You can also determine confusion (constricted facial expres-
sions), disagreement (frowning or shaking their head), or distraction (looking elsewhere)
through eye contact.

PUTTING YOUR BRAIN TO WORK: ACTIVITY

What role have you seen nonverbal gestures play in managing learners in the past?

What types of nonverbal cues do you believe are least effective in a classroom? Why?

What types of nonverbal cues do you believe are most effective in a classroom? Why?

BRIGHT I DEA
Highlighted Notes
o help me quickly find key points in my notes or lesson plan, thus helping me
Tspend more time making eye contact with learners, I use a color-coded high-
lighting system. First I capitalize and bold all headers, subheaders, and indications
for training aids and activities in my lesson plan. I then use yellow highlighters to
indicate visual aids such as slides, transparencies, posters, or flip charts. I use green
for any handout materials that I will give to learners, such as workbooks, flyers, or
job aids. I use orange for videotapes or audiotapes. Using the bold and highlighted
indicators, I can quickly glance at notes and know what to do next because I have
adequately prepared and know my material well. The result is that my focus stays
on my learners and not my written materials.

Movement is the door to learning.
—Paul E. Dennison