The Creative Training Idea Book: Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgments......Page 6
Preface......Page 10
Learning Objectives......Page 14
The Dynamic Brain......Page 16
New Perspectives from Brain Research......Page 20
How Learning Occurs......Page 23
Learning Modalities......Page 26
Learning Modalities in Action......Page 27
Stages of Learning......Page 32
Multiple Intelligences......Page 34
Enrichment of the Learning Environment......Page 37
Attentiveness......Page 38
Factors Inhibiting Attention......Page 39
Helping Learners Focus......Page 40
Controlling Mental Side Trips......Page 41
Retention Tips......Page 44
Stages of Memory......Page 46
Categories of Memory......Page 47
Types of Memory......Page 48
Helping the Brain Remember......Page 49
Learning Objectves......Page 56
Identifying Creativity......Page 58
Four Steps of the Creativity Process......Page 61
Mindmapping......Page 62
Games......Page 63
Visualization......Page 64
Simulation......Page 65
Practical Application......Page 66
Creativity Enablers......Page 69
Models......Page 70
Playing Card and Board Games......Page 71
Magic Tricks......Page 73
Jigsaw Puzzles......Page 74
Crossword and Word Search Puzzles......Page 75
Optical Illusions......Page 76
Stories......Page 78
Analogies......Page 79
Organizational Culture......Page 82
Participant Attitude......Page 83
Trainer Motivation......Page 84
Countering Negativity......Page 85
Keep a Daily Journal......Page 86
Learning Objectives......Page 90
Training Roles......Page 91
Planning for Learning......Page 92
Clothing......Page 93
Grooming......Page 95
Pre-Session Needs Assessment......Page 96
In-Class Needs Assessment......Page 99
Post-Session Needs Assessment......Page 104
Connecting with Diverse Audiences......Page 109
General Guidelines......Page 110
Cross-Gender Issues......Page 115
Training Participants who have Disabilities......Page 118
General Suggestions for Training People with Disabilities......Page 119
Sight Disabilities......Page 120
Hearing Disabilities......Page 122
Mobility Disabilities......Page 123
Learning Outcomes......Page 130
Lighting the Fuse......Page 131
Pre-Class Assignments......Page 132
Teasers......Page 133
Agendas......Page 134
Jigsaw Puzzles......Page 135
Card Games......Page 136
Brainstorming......Page 139
Be Prepared......Page 141
Be Positive......Page 142
Use Group Energy......Page 143
Grabbing Attention......Page 144
Powerful Beginnings......Page 146
Make ’Em Smile......Page 147
Amaze ’Em......Page 148
Relate ’Em......Page 152
Communicate with ’Em......Page 153
Involve ’Em......Page 154
Display a Welcome Message......Page 156
Conduct “I Hope” Exercise......Page 157
Play Background Bingo......Page 158
Animal Attraction......Page 161
Fantasyland......Page 162
Word Search Puzzles......Page 163
Hidden Messages......Page 166
Learning Objectives......Page 172
The Impact of the Learning Environment......Page 173
Psychological Considerations......Page 175
Return on Investment......Page 176
The Impact of Color......Page 177
Wall and Floor Coverings......Page 180
Illumination (Lighting)......Page 181
Temperature......Page 182
Acoustics and Sound......Page 183
Vegetation......Page 188
Smells and Odors......Page 190
Food and Refreshments......Page 191
Furniture......Page 193
Maximizing Involvement and Learning......Page 195
Reduced Learner Involvement Configurations......Page 196
Reduced Learner Involvement Configurations......Page 198
Variations......Page 200
Moderate Learner Involvement Configurations......Page 201
Variations......Page 203
High Learner Involvement Configurations......Page 204
Variations......Page 205
High Learner Involvement Configurations......Page 206
Variations......Page 207
Adding Creative Peripherals......Page 210
Party Hats......Page 211
Foil or Tissue Balls......Page 212
Props......Page 213
Smile Face Items......Page 214
Gathering your Tools and Toys Together......Page 215
Learning Objectives......Page 220
Why Group?......Page 221
General Suggestions for Grouping Learners......Page 223
Techniques for Dividing Participants......Page 224
Small Toys......Page 225
Selecting Small Group Leaders and Volunteers......Page 234
Die or Color Cube......Page 236
Identifying Traits or Characteristics......Page 237
Learning Objectives......Page 242
Strategies for Generating Enthusiasm......Page 243
Learner-Centered Activites......Page 244
Training Venue......Page 246
Plan for Contingencies......Page 247
Creating an Active Learning Environment......Page 248
Small Group Learning......Page 249
Participant Teaching......Page 250
Cross-Laterals......Page 251
Getting Acquainted Activities......Page 253
I’d Like to Introduce.........Page 254
Help Yourself......Page 255
Me Too!......Page 256
What a Zoo......Page 257
Bring 'Em Back from Break on Time......Page 258
Build in Productivity Time......Page 259
Have an Audible Signal......Page 260
Give Quick Tips......Page 261
Use Peer Pressure......Page 262
Play “What if”......Page 264
Bean Bag Toss......Page 265
Spin the Football......Page 266
Tic, Tac, Toe......Page 267
Color of Knowledge......Page 268
Let’s Toss About Some Ideas......Page 269
Team Lift......Page 271
Simon Sez......Page 272
Team Grid......Page 273
Learning Objectives......Page 280
Clarifying Written Messages......Page 282
Putting a Face on Writing......Page 283
Adding Artwork......Page 287
Pocket Guides......Page 289
Flip Chart Magic......Page 290
General Tips for Use......Page 291
Design Considerations......Page 293
Adding Artwork......Page 294
Creative Accessories......Page 298
Poster Presence......Page 303
Picturing with Sticky Notes......Page 305
Identifying Relationships and Problem-Solving......Page 306
Cloth Board Communication......Page 307
Poster Printers......Page 308
Overhead Projectors......Page 309
Projection Units and Slideshows......Page 317
Videotapes......Page 320
Learning Objectives......Page 330
Create an Open Learning Environment......Page 331
Gain Attention......Page 332
Building Trust and Establishing Rapport......Page 333
Make Eye Contact......Page 334
Be Credible......Page 335
Self-Disclosure......Page 336
Avoid Verbal Fillers......Page 338
Modulate Your Voice......Page 339
Tips for Reducing Nervousness......Page 340
Prepare Adequately......Page 341
Do Not Place Undue Stress on Yourself......Page 342
Pause Before Speaking......Page 343
Be Enthusiastic......Page 344
Questioning with a Purpose......Page 345
Technique 2: CPA......Page 347
Silently Making your Point......Page 348
Move with a Purpose......Page 351
Gesture Appropriately......Page 353
Keep an Eye on Your Learners......Page 354
Preventing Resistance......Page 356
Indicators of Resistance......Page 358
Strategies for Handling Resistance......Page 359
Taking Action to Reduce Resistance......Page 361
Interacting with Difficult Learners......Page 362
Talkers......Page 363
Shy Participants......Page 365
Experts......Page 366
Pessimists......Page 367
Agitator......Page 368
Revolutionary......Page 369
Clown......Page 370
Learning Objectives......Page 374
Criteria for Rewards......Page 375
Back to the Basics......Page 377
Intrinsic Motivators......Page 378
Intrinsic Rewards from Training......Page 379
Recognition of Achievement......Page 381
Extrinsic Rewards from Training......Page 386
Motivation Killers......Page 391
A Learning Wall......Page 392
Line Ball Toss......Page 393
Note to the Boss......Page 394
Storytelling......Page 395
Touting Benefits......Page 396
Certificate Exchange......Page 398
Elements of an Effective Close......Page 399
Provide a Roadmap to Success......Page 400
Give “Thank You” Time......Page 401
Bring Closure to the Learning......Page 402
Closing on a High Note......Page 405
Glossary of Terms......Page 410
Resources for Trainers......Page 416
Tools for Trainers......Page 426
Graphics for Trainers (Communicating with Graphics)......Page 444
B......Page 474
C......Page 475
G......Page 476
L......Page 477
N......Page 478
R......Page 479
T......Page 480
W......Page 481