Page 394 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 10 11/20/02 1:11 PM Page 383
Celebrating Successes 383
receive the ball again and cannot pass a second time. If everyone has received the ball
one time and offered a term and time remains, have them start again until either time
expires or it is obvious that all ideas are exhausted (a lot of people are passing). While
the review is occurring, the scribes should capture the terms or concepts being offered
by members of the team to which they are assigned on their flip chart. After 5 minutes,
sound a whistle or other noisemaker, and have them stop and compare lists. Eliminate
any term items appearing on a list that occurred earlier on the opposing team’s list.
Count the total and reward the team with the most accurate responses. You may want
to give a small prize to the members of the other team also (e.g., candy bars or snack
food packets) so that there are no losers. You can also reward your scribes, if desired.
Have each team form a circle, put their right hands in so that all hands touch, and
agree on a team “yell” (e.g., Success) that they shout in unison on your count of three,
while pulling their hands out of the center and returning to their seats.

Crossword, Word Search, Word Scramble, or Word Match

A fun, but less active way to review course content is through the computer-generated
puzzles that you read about earlier in the book for use as interim reviews. You can create
customized puzzles with clues and words from your program material to remind and
review what was learned. Allow participants to use materials and notes when complet-
ing the puzzles, as this reinforces concepts as they reread information.
Award a prize to the first person accurately completing the puzzle, but have every-
one else also complete the puzzle so they also review all concepts. You can give smaller
prizes to the remaining learners.

Note to the Boss

Pass out either 3 × 5 index cards or strips of paper and a blank business envelope. Have
each person write his or her name on the card or paper. Tell participants that they have
3 minutes to write the most important thing that they learned in the session and how
they plan to apply it on the job. Once time is up, have each person, in turn, read what
he or she wrote out loud. Next, have participants write the name, title, and department
of their direct supervisors on the outside of the envelope. If you are conducting a ses-
sion with people from different organizations, have them put the name, title, and mail-
ing address for their supervisors on the envelope. Give each person a generic letter from
you, addressed to “Dear Supervisor,” which explains that the learner has just completed
a course titled _____. That enclosed card also contains a description of what the learner
feels is the most important thing learned and how he or she wants to apply it on the
job. Also stress that you need the supervisor’s assistance in supporting the learner in
accomplishing the learner’s implementation of the concept or idea. Have all participants
include the letter along with that they wrote, then collect the envelopes and tell learners
that you will see that supervisors get them.