Preparing a Detailed Training Session

Preparation

Choose time

• If time of presentation itself is flexible
  • avoid just after lunch
  • Friday afternoon
    
• Decide if session has to fit given time frame, or
  
• Time can be stretched to suit content

Choose place

• Suitable for content - work floor, seminar room, weekend retreat?
• Adequate seating, work space, ventilation
• AV facilities suitable and working
• Visit place - try everything out

Ascertain nature and level of trainees

• Sphere of Experience [see Outline 20]
• High practical and low theory, or vice versa?
• How to ascertain level of knowledge if not known beforehand, ie, on arrival?
  • question
  • discussion
  • test

Decide on suitable assessment strategy

• if required and
• if appropriate

Decide on format for script

• Chart or Table
  • as per spreadsheet - columns and rows
    
• Notes
  • In detail with headings, subheadings etc
  • Keywords highlighted
  • notes re AVs and time in left and right margin
    
• Verbatim Script
  • ready to be read out - do not do so!
  • Highlight etc as above
  • Useful for first time
  • double spaced
    
• Whichever method, carefully number each page
  
• Leave plenty of space for additional notes

Sequence

Welcome

• introduce yourself
• start any admin matters
• Break down the barriers - depends on SEX and aims of session
  • re-arrange seating
  • discuss backgrounds
  • play trainers' games

Introduction

• Aim
  • what they will be able to do at the end of session
  • if possible to phrase this way so everybody is clear
    
• Get attention - first 5 minutes are vital
  • use example. case study, statistics
  • be dramatic if it sits comfortably with you
  • relate to their personal wishes and background
    
• Motivate -
  • what they will get out of it
  • how to get the most out of this session
    • write notes
    • ask questions
    • be positive
      
• Link -
  • what has gone before and what will come after
  • where this session fits in to overall picture

Content

Explain according to nature of subject

• demonstrate
• lecture
• exhibit
• tell and do

Question -

• if necessary, build into script when and where to do
• get positive feedback - see outline 20
• never ask open-ended questions
  • specific questions which are answerable
  • directed to specific people
• do not embarrass - if answer not forthcoming, move on to another or rephrase

Reinforce

• summarise throughout at vital times
• explain in different ways and words
• give relevant examples, case studies, illustrations

Conclusion

• Summarise - key features, match to aim
• Assess or Evaluate - test for knowledge gained; any final questions or comments
• Next step - what to do now; homework, assignment, enrol in next session

Audiovisual Aids

• What to use
• When and how
• Check all is working
• prepare spares as appropriate
• Handouts - preferably at end of session
• Mark in script where AVs are used

Time Management

Preparing

• not more than session is worth
• on computer for easy edit and reuse
• practise delivery if not skilled in presentation
• use trial audeience if possible

Delivering

• make sure time scale is marked in script
  • how long to go or
  • how long should have gone
• have contingency plans for unprepared emergencies

Assessing

• if appropriate
• decide on method - must match objectives
• allow time
• announce when results available

Trainees' abilities

• do not overestimate - what is obvious to you may take time to explain
• do not assume they all have your ability, standards etc

Validation

After delivery -

• would you do the same again ? -
• for a different audience ?

Lesson plan -

• did it cover all aspects?
• Was it well planned? in right proportions?

Assessment instruments

• Did they measure objectives?
• Were they valid etc as per outline 25

Students

• did they get what they expected
• did they achieve the objectives

Trainer

Manipulate the training cycle - PIEMAN