Tag Archives: Training Trainers
What trainers can learn from Standup Comedians
Perhaps I have been watching too much late night television, but recently I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of things that trainers can learn from stand- up comedians. As a result, I have compiled a list of advice that I think crosses over well: 1. Know your audience. The most …
7 Easy Steps for Success for Session Planning
I continue to be amazed at how little preparation seems to go into presentations. Outside of our training and assessment space, I do get an opportunity to see a range of presentations via conferences and workshops and whilst the presenters tend to have good subject matter knowledge they seem to lack an ability to plan …
How to manage difficult behaviours in training
Even experienced trainers with the latest resources and most interesting training material can be thrown off course by the behaviours of difficult participants. Therefore, it is important to load the kit bag with a variety of tools and techniques to overcome the dilemmas presented by some students. One of the simple things that can be …
5 Reasons why people don’t ask questions in training
Most participants’ brains seem to stop functioning when you invite them to ask questions. It’s like at the mere mention of the phrase “are there any questions” a chain-reaction of nuclear proportions engulfs the participants’ brains and they all become suddenly quiet as the fallout spreads through their bodies and renders them incapable of even …
Bringing Hollywood to your Training
Having just returned from the Training and Performance Improvement Conference in Minneapolis, USA, I was so impressed with one of the presentations, that I thought I should provide a highlights package in this month’s Ezine. I attended a workshop by Becky Pike Pluth on “Teaching from Tinsletown” and it reminded me how powerful cinema can …
The Rise of the “Prosumers”!
I recently returned from the 17th International Conference on Learning in Hong Kong with a renewed vigor to drive our special brand of training forward with some new ideas and perspectives. It was a conference which reminded us of the rapid changes we have all experienced in our sector and of the exciting things to …
Reform or Transform?
I was at the VET Teaching Conference held in Brisbane during May and one of the speakers sparked my interest with the question of Reform or Transform? She reminded us that our industry is seemingly always in reformation… so when will we be finished? When will we be reformed? This got me thinking. As practitioners, …
Looking for Gold in the New Learning Frontier
I was thumbing through the latest edition of ASTD’s Training and Development magazine recently and a report on a “new frontier” for learning professionals caught my eye. In essence it described this new frontier as being about “connecting, collaborating and learning in different ways” due to changing “technologies, learning styles, demographics and economic needs”. Now …
What Makes a Good Teacher?
When Bill Gates announced recently that his foundation was investing millions in a project to improve teaching quality in the United States, he added an interesting backhander to the establishment. ‘‘Unfortunately, it seems the field doesn’t have a clear view of what characterizes good teaching,’’ Gates said. There is almost a fanatical obsession with testing …
Motivating our Teachers in PD and Training
Recently I was approached by Teacher Magazine to write an article around how to motivate teachers during Professional Development and Training. The full article “All Aboard: Reluctant passengers on the training journey” will appear in their March edition. Below are some thoughts on the topic: Motivating teachers is difficult. We don’t always make the best …