Page 76 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 02 11/20/02 11:37 AM Page 65
What value can your learners gain from using puzzles? Lighting the Creativity Lamp 65

Optical Illusions

People are fascinated by things that are not what they seem. Optical illusions are won-
derfully creative tools for emphasizing that first impressions are not always correct. They
can also be used to grab or regain attention as an energizing activity throughout the day.
You can include them in your sessions by making transparencies of several illusions. To
do so, have participants take out paper and pencil, project the images on the screen for
10 seconds, and have learners write down what they see. After going through a few of
the illusions, go back and project them one at a time and ask, “What did you see?” It
amazes people how many different perceptions there were about the same material. The
point that you can then make is that each learner is unique with different experiences
and perspectives, and each can serve as a resource to another in training and in the
workplace. Figures 2–5 through 2-10 offer some sample illusions. More can be obtained
from books or on the Internet by typing in Optical Illusions.

FIGURE 2-6. What do you see?
FIGURE 2-5. What do you see? POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Elephant or elephant with extra legs liar running vertically down the page. face looking left or as the scripted word POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Can be seen as a