Train-the-Trainers: Activities for Interactive, Experiential Teaching
- 1. Cone of Experience People generally remember: Read Hear Words Watch Still Picture Watch Moving Picture View Exhibit Watch Demonstration Do a Workshop Exercise Role Play a Situation Simulate a Real Experience Go through the Real Experience 10% of what they read 20% of what they hear 30% of what they see 50% of what they see and hear 70% of what they say and write 90% of what they say as they do a task For more information on Dole’s cone of Experience, see Raymond T. Wimon. Educational Media, Charles Merril Co, 1969
- 2. Demonstration The presenter actually performs or simulates the process, instead of only talking about a concept, procedure, or set of facts. Advantages: • Excellent way to learn skills for using equipment, instructional materials, procedures, etc. • Participants can immediately try out what they learn • Involves auditory, visual, and often kinesthetic (movement) sessions with a maximum involvement Disadvantages: • Demonstration must be limited to amounts of information at one time • Breaking demonstration into learnable chunks can be difficult • May be difficult to set up space for viewing • Not good for large groups unless all can experience • Need follow up opportunities to apply Pointers: • Include a verbal summary either before or after demo • Provide opportunity to practice skills on real problem • Make sure in advance all materials are available and working • Practice beforehand to establish timelines, possible difficulties, and anticipate
- 3. Group Discussion The presenter must first build interest before starting a discussion. Open-ended questions can guide participants into learning through dialogue. Advantages: • Permits maximum interchange of ideas • Permits clarification, sharing of understanding, and review of main points • Allows participants to acquire and practice interpersonal competencies • Participants choose level of involvement based on own degree of comfort Disadvantages: • Participants must have basic information on which to build discussion; trainer must lay out content foundation • Without focusing, discussions can wander and not contain much content • May not be as inclusive (have to facilitate) • Can become very time consuming Pointers: • Time limits and goals should be explicitly set • Open-ended questions trigger better discussions than close-ended questions • Use facilitation techniques to prevent domination by one or few viewpoints
- 4. Group Inquiry The presenter challenges participants to generate their own questions or poses a problem for group to solve. May need to provide prior knowledge first. Advantages: • Allows presenter to gear teaching to participant needs • Allows for group to apply own knowledge or experience • Encourages group interpersonal skills Disadvantages: • Participants must have prior knowledge of material or first be presented with relevant instructional materials and information • May require high level of experience of presenter to guide group towards intended learning Pointers: • Present needed frameworks and information beforehand • Allow sufficient time for the group to form questions or solve problem • You can field questions one at a time or from the entire group
- 5. Guided Learning Instead of presenting a lecture, or obtain participants questions, the presenter asks a series of questions. Ideas are recorded and then discussed in light of intended learning content. Advantages: • Taps knowledge of group or gets their beliefs and ideas about questions • Allows presenter to learn what participants already know before making instructional points • Encourages self discovery • Nice break from presentation Disadvantages: • Presenter must have extensive knowledge of subject (built in) • Presenter should be skilled at encouraging and controlling verbal input • Presenter must establish safe environment • Verbal participants may monopolize discussion or present inappropriate views Pointers: • Maintain balance between participant and trainer input • Record ideas and compare to lecture points presenter has in mind • If done in small groups, reconvene groups and share learning • Have examples to use
- 6. Lecture / Talk The presenter verbally presents intended learning in a thoughtfully designed manner. Lecturing can be useful for large group settings, is low-cost, and can include participation. Advantages: • Most efficient and low-cost method for conveying information in classroom setting • Can convey basic info to large group rapidly • Can be used regardless of group size Disadvantages: • Presenter needs to be dynamic, knowledgeable, and energetic • Can put participants into a position of sustained, passive learning • Too much information at one time is “lost” unless supported by experience, handouts • Used by itself, does not lead to learning Pointers: • Design carefully and intentionally • Work to involve participants and maximize retention through participative techniques • Plan strategies to get attention • Outline key ideas at outset to help listeners recognize relevant details • Use visual backup • Recap major points • Time for debrief/ apply
- 7. Mental Imagery Uses the ability to visualize an object, person, place or action not present. Can replace scenarios such as role playing and stimulate discussion. Advantages: • Valuable way to help participants mentally rehearse putting skills into action and bring feelings and events into focus • Help participants work through anxiety in safe setting • Through visualization, participants can be activated into lively discussion Disadvantages: • Still requires a minimum amount of role playing • Participants may not have enough experience to be able to respond as directed by facilitator • Facilitator may not have participated in imagery exercises enough to feel comfortable leading others Pointers: • Use to replace role playing • Held participants clear mind first with relaxation exercises • Give imagery instructions slowly and with enough pauses • Write out a script and practice • Invite participants to share imagery in voluntary manner • Use journals
- 8. Observation Watching others without directly participating can be an effective learning experience. This can be reinforced through use of notes, checklists, and questions. Advantages: • Can be a very effective way to experience learning, especially when combined with situations • Observers can have strong feelings if what they are observing has personal impact • Can use with groups of varying sizes Disadvantages: • It may be difficult to make observation session an active experience • There may not be enough trust among participants to provide meaningful feedback Pointers: • Try to provide aids to help participants retain pertinent aspects • May want to provide an overview of important content before observation • Provide forms with suggestions, checklists, questions, etc. • Repeat or vary with other methods and rotations
- 9. Discussion w/ Reading Participants are asked to read a short, pertinent handout covering main points and then continue with small group discussion or other activities to apply reading. Advantages: • Excellent way to cover new material without lecturing • Material in journals and articles can be covered • Works well for people who learn best through reading • Exposes participants to work of experts • Good way to introduce vocabulary • Participants can revisit later at own pace Disadvantages: • Some participants may not be able or feel comfortable with reading on the spot and digesting quickly • Need to have adequate time • Need to develop application opportunities Pointers: • Choose materials carefully to be pertinent • Allow sufficient time for most participants to complete reading before signaling start of discussion • Combine with brief lecture or presentation of main points using visuals or role plays or other activities
- 10. Scenario / Case Study Uses a type of written or scripted demonstration which is an account of a fictitious or real situation with sufficient detail to allow participants to act out, discuss, or analyze situation. Advantages: • Helps participants to experience feelings and practice skills • Helps participants identify with viewpoints and roles other than their own • Encourages problem solving • Time saving, allowing for learners to grapple with complexity • Feedback opportunities • Embeds information Disadvantages: • Participants must be willing to be involved • Not all participants may get opportunity to practice • Takes time to plan and execute • Follow-up activity is important to summarizing experience and make key points • Can be difficult to provide enough information or write Pointers: • At outset, clarify purpose or issues to be addressed • Provide sufficient information about roles or characteristics • Encourage observation across roles or situations • Include time for processing and debriefing • Include relevant information • Presenter can model role play
- 11. Small Group Activity Activities designed for small groups, including creative dimensions, can create a more lively, comfortable environment with opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas. Advantages: • Same advantages as large group discussions, plus can be more comfortable • Provides participants with opportunity to utilize own expertise • Involves participants in active communication • Presenter can circulate among groups and provide help Disadvantages: • Participants must have basic information or approach; trainer must lay out content • Participants may not stay on task • Time consuming • Must rely on participants to facilitate and record own activities Pointers: • Set out goals and time limits • Have a specific approach or format for all to follow • Appoint facilitators, time keepers, or other roles • Have prearranged spaces and cueing system for coming together • Try to limit groups to 8 persons to maximize interaction and reduce fears
- 12. Spot Challenge The presenter interrupts presentation or weaves in the opportunity for participants to give examples of the concepts or apply knowledge through role play. Advantages: • Can assess participants’ understanding of material before proceeding • Can include coaching • Provides participants with opportunity to test out or apply their own learning • Can be very effective for groups that like high interaction and risks (e.g., young people) Disadvantages: • If group is large or have differing levels of experience, not all will participate • If a person doesn’t understand a concept or know how to perform, can hurt their self esteem Pointers: • Concepts or questions may be planned or spontaneous; make sure they support or clarify what’s been covered (through lectures, readings, role plays, etc.) • Interweave with situation studies and other formats to make interaction more comfortable
- 13. Other Ideas Switch-Swatch Concentric Circles Skits Stand and Declare Fishbowl Discussions Artistic Metaphors Games (Jeopardy) Role Plays/”Freeze” Pointers: • Include a verbal summary either before or after demo • Provide opportunity to practice skills on real problem • Make sure in advance all materials are available and working • Practice beforehand to establish timelines, possible difficulties, and anticipate questions