Post on 05-Apr-2018
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Training Techniques
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What We Need To Know
Adult Learners
Learning Styles
The Comfort Factor
Practical Tools
Organization
How to Present
Presentations
How to Handle the Class
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Adult Learners
Motivation
Pride
Skills
Job Security
Expectations
Other
Interest
Past Experiences
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Adult LearnerLearning Styles
Doing
Observing
Hearing
Reading
Combination
Other
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The Comfort Factor
Room temperature
Not too hot or too cold
Seating
Metal folding chairs make for a very short attention
span Be able to accommodate people with bad backs, etc.
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The Comfort Factor
Make students feel at home
Do name tags, desk tags, etc.
Have coffee and snacks if possible
Welcome them as they come into the room
Attention Span
Watch them and see how you are doing
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Practical Tools
Circle
Forces everyone to look at each other, no
one can hide
Square
Most everyone can see each other, somecan hide
*These first two do not allow the instructor tostand and face the class but also make it verydifficult to show slides etc.
Setting up the classroom
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Practical Tools
Horseshoe set up
Good for the instructor because of access tothe class
Instructor can walk up to anyone in the class
Class can see each other
Class can see a screen if used
Students all facing forward
Old lecture style More difficult for class participation
Students have to look around to see who isspeaking
other
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Practical ToolsStarting The Class
Introduce yourself with your name and how you want tobe addressed (Mr., Ms., Dr. or first name)
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Explain class rules & requirements
Class hours
In event of an emergency
Exits
Medical
other
Breaks and Lunch
Rules around food and drink.
Pagers and cell phones Other requirements by location (parking, smoking, doors to
use, etc.)
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Practical Tools
Give a brief introduction of
yourself and your qualifications. Not too lengthy or they will mimic you.
Class introductions - Go around the roomand have each student introducethemselves.
Try limiting them to their name, department,time on the job, etc. for example
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Practical Tools
The activity of introductions gives theinstructor a mental image of the class andhow to proceed.
You can use icebreakers. There are lots ofvariations of introductions. Check the web.
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Practical Tools
Give a short introduction to the class/course. You can use stories as examples of the subject, statistics, and
other information covered later in the course.
Present the course objectives. This sets the tone for the class and gives the students an idea of
what is going to be covered.
You should also close the class by showing that the objectiveswere met
Remember Make a good first impression, you onlyhave one chance
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Practical Tools
Do not intimidate them.You can show your knowledge without bragging
Do not let your education/experience overwhelm
Allow for comments, questions and even afew stories
Adult Learners need a chance to share theirknowledge and experiences
Do not let the story telling get out of hand.
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Organization
Be organized
Have what you need in front of you
Give them a schedule or outline
Plan your class
Plan your time on each subject
Keep to that schedule as closely as possible
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Time Management
Allow for extra time.
Have a plan for
Power, Computer or Projector Failure
Extra Questions and Comments
Being Interrupted
People being late
People who must leave early
other
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Organization
Preview any video before class
Offensive materials?
Religious
Ethnic Background
Other- Politically incorrect items
Watch blood and gore pictures/videos(some people react to them in a negative way)
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Presentation
Use only proper language.
NO PROFANITY, SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE,ETHNIC SLURS, COMMENTS or JOKES.
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How to Present
Training Materials
Does everyone in the class read?
English
Other languages
Preview all your materials
Spell check, alignment, etc.
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Presentation
Are slides large enough for all to see?
Is there too much on them?
Are they attractive? Do your materials cover the subject?
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How to Present
Things to remember
Always face the class
Never turn your back on them or talk to the screen
Look at the people in the room Continually scan the class
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How to Present
Do not stare at one individual
This may embarrass them
Are you singling them out?
Know your materials Do not read from the screen
The class will pick up on anyone who is not sure of theirsubject
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How to Present
Dress the part Remember you are the expert on the subject,
look like one Do not over dress or under dress
Speak clearly Can you be heard by everyone? Do not mumble Pronounce words correctly Know and use the correct safety lingo
OSHA, NFPA,ANSI,RCRA,MSHA, EPA,CDC, ETC
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Be aware of
Avoid annoying habits
Hands in pockets jingling change
Repeating Phases (OK?, YA-YA, Scratching variousbody parts, etc.)
Looking out the window or acting distracted
Acting uninvolved or lofty
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How to Present
Be Confident Remember it shows
Be enthusiastic
This really shows
Be honest If you do not know something admit it
& look it up later
BE YOURSELF Students enjoy instructors who are real people
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Presentations
Using PowerPoint
Use as few words as possible
Font size should be large enough to read inthe back of the room.
Watch distracting images or phrases
Use a colorful background not one that
blocks out the wording or images
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Presentations
Add site specific photos
Shows actual workplace conditions
Use lots of pictures, people like this
Makes your presentation more real
Add clip art to enhance the presentation
Be careful that the clip art does not become the
themeAnimated clip art is nice but can be distracting
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Presentations
Add video clips if appropriate
This will require a higher speed computer and lotsof memory
Link to video streaming if possible Need high speed link
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Focus on the Student
Students that are Functionally Illiterate
Student who cannot read well.
Students with Learning Disabilities
ADHD, Dyslectic , etc.
Non-Native English Speaking Students
Do not depend on their reading ability
Never expect all students have the same reading level
Use pictures, symbols, Hands on, etc.
Explain everything very carefully
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Common Signs of Difficulty
Continues to spell incorrectly
Avoids reading and writing tasks
Trouble summarizing
Trouble with open-ended questions on tests
Weak memory skills
Difficulty adjusting to new settings
Works slowly
Poor grasp of abstract concepts
Either pays too little attention to details or focuses onthem too much
Misreads information
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Presentations
Use hands-on type learning activities
You may need to devise your own
Make these very practical and simple
Use the building block approach
Start out simple and build up gradually
Remember no reading should be required
This takes some work to prepare.
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How to Handle the Class
Remain calm at all times
Keep control of the class
Remember it is easier to start out tough and back off
than to start soft and try to toughen up. Speak at their level.(Do not use words they do not
understand, unless explained. NFPA ANSI etc)
Watch their faces, if the class is not going well their faces
will tell. (Sleeping, bored, pained, puzzled, etc.) Treat the class the way you would want to be treated.
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How to Handle the Class
Never put anyone down or say they are wrong.(even if they are).
This will embarrass them and adults do not like to beembarrassed in front of other people.
Never correct them in a way that embarrassesthem.
Always use the positive approach then add or suggestthe correct answer.
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How to handle the class
Try to treat them with respect even if youdo not agree with what they are saying.
Remember, we are entitled to our own opinions and
so are they.
Stay on track even if members of the class
get off on another discussion. Pull themback and stay on schedule.
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How To Handle The Class
Most of your training is done in a very limitedtime so staying on schedule is very important.
Ask the students who are involved in a lengthydiscussion to continue that during a break, atlunch or after class.
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How to handle the class
Handling an out of control person must be donecarefully.
When most people explode, they will run down after acouple of minutes.
This gives you time to assess the situation and work ona plan to at least pacify them temporally.
Once the situation is under control then you can talkwith them privately and work out an acceptable plan.
Remember that an incident of this type affects the wholeclass.
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How to Handle the Class
Give the class a break(s) if your are going to keepthem for an extended period (more than twohours).
Allow for interruptions, people coming and going.
Start on time and finish on time.
Be flexible..do not let little things bother you. Roll with it, it is much easier.
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Good Luck!
Remember that everyone is there withdifferent levels of motivation andexpectations.
You need to satisfy as many as possible,however, you may never reach everyone
but always try.