Page 370 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:03 PM Page 359
Clown Keeping the Communication Flowing 359
In many groups, you will encounter one or more people who are fun loving and seek
attention through practical jokes or humorous words or actions. While such behavior
can help liven a session, it can also distract if carried to an extreme. It can be com-
pounded when friends of the Clown continue to encourage the behavior or contribute
their own.
To address Clowns, try the following strategies.

Tactic 1

Ignore the behavior or comments if possible. This eliminates the psychological reward
of the person being recognized before the group.

Tactic 2

Appeal to the learner’s serious side by asking session-related questions or opinions of
him or her.

Tactic 3

If friends in a small group are contributing to and encouraging the behavior, separate
them in a random manner. Use some of the techniques described in this book.

Tactic 4
If the Clown’s behavior is really a problem, call a short break, meet with the Clown, and
discuss the need to remain on task.

PUTTING YOUR BRAIN TO WORK: ACTIVITY

1. What are some additional types of disruptive participants whom you have seen in the past?

2. What strategies have you seen used to deal with the types of learners you listed in question 1?

Although these are not the only challenging types of behaviors you will come across
in your sessions, they are some of the more common. See Books in the Resources for
Trainers in the appendices for additional resources on the topic.