Making Training Active
by Dr. Keith E. Webb

"How can I make my training more active?" is a question we frequently hear. In this article I'll share with you our experience.

What's Your Goal?
By the looks of most training I've been to, passing on information is the goal. The instructor wants participants to leave knowing something. This may be because we believe that knowledge leads to a changed mind and action, which I don't believe is true. If you start with only knowledge goals, creating interactive training will be challenging.

I begin with the twin goals of discovery and experience. Take the topic of questions, for example. I want participants to discover the power of questions and experience using them in powerful ways. Any knowledge that comes through discovery is owned; and experience is not quickly forgotten.

You can use three grids to create interactive training:

3 Learning Objectives
The objective of learning is in three areas: knowing, being, and doing. Knowing is knowledge and information on a topic. Being is about attitudes and values toward a topic. And doing is about skills and abilities to act on a topic. Each are self-reinforcing, and you can begin with any and work on the others simultaneously.

3 Learning Styles
Often our default training style is lecture, so the most common learning style is listening. You already know listening isn't the ideal way to learn. Discussion with others and taking action are stronger ways to learn. Again, you can begin anywhere. My rule of thumb is no more than 10 minutes of lecture without switching to another style.

3 Learning Postures
An alien observing us humans would say that sitting, listening to someone teach about something is how Earthling learn! There are many other learning postures besides sitting, like standing and moving around. Usually everyone begins seated. I get them standing or moving within the first 10 minutes. In fact, I try for no more than 15 minutes of sitting (using any learning style) without getting the group up off their seats.

So, these are the three grid I use to create interactive training. Here's how to apply them.

1. Decide the training topic and create 3-5 learning points for knowing, being, and doing. You'll most likely have to cut 50% of your plans for knowing, and increase doing, especially action.

2. Ask yourself, "How can I set it up so participants will experience and discover the learning objectives, rather than me telling them?"

3. Create a series of short learning activities, mixing up style and posture, preferably 8 changes per hour. Here's an example of 60 minutes training on Asking Powerful Questions.

4. Use books or online resources to find active ways to train each activity. Only use lecture as a last resort!

5. Add coaching to follow-up training and triple your results. Coaching can be done in small groups, with or without a trained coach present. See this article for more details.

Making training active requires a bit more preparation for the trainer, but once you see the participants engaged, making discoveries, and using your training, you'll never want to go back to lectures again.

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Copyright © 2010 Keith E. Webb & CRM

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Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and experienced cross-cultural leadership coach helping organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.