Providing Excellent Learning Experiences:  A Practical Approach from Those Who Know

Questions To Be Answered

What will we do to provide a valuable and positive learning experience for the participants?

Key Tasks

Select trainers to deliver the training (assuming it is classroom-based) who have:
a. Expertise in the topic.
b. Credibility with the participants.
c. Teaching/facilitation skills and experience.

Prepare for delivery
a. Prepare teaching and learning materials.
b. Confirm all location logistics.
c. Review notes and participant list.

Deliver the training
a. Build rapport with and confirm needs of participants.
b. Provide examples to help participants understand how to apply their lessons.
c. Give participants follow-up materials and contacts for ongoing support.
d. Evaluate training effectiveness.

Tips For Success

When Selecting Trainers…
1.Ask trainers to provide you with a resume or biography of professional experience to determine who is appropriate to provide training on particular topics. Provide some of this information in trainer bios for participants.
2. Choose trainers who are genuinely excited about training their colleagues and who have experience doing training.
3. If you have not seen a trainer in a training setting before, ask him or her how they plan to approach the topic and what methods they will use.  Give suggestions if there are not enough interactive methods.
4. Ask trainers you already know to recommend other experts as possible trainers—those they know that have expertise on certain topics; are good communicators; and preferably, dynamic speakers.
5. Identify “experts” by referral from others whose judgment you trust.
6. When possible and when your budget allows, pair trainers so that participants have the benefit of two experts.
7. Work with trainers on their lessons and make sure they are creating lessons that are “teaching to” the learning objectives.
8. Help prepare trainers by reviewing their notes, making copies of handouts and offering suggestions for exercises.

When Preparing for Training Delivery
1. Identify participant experience by sending a brief questionnaire to registrants before the training; give this information to the trainers.
2. Add questions to registration form, e.g., number of years of experience as a clinician; one thing they want to learn from the training.
3. Confirm that participants will be attending, three days before the first day of training.
4. After reviewing information about participants, be sure the lessons are appropriate to their expertise and needs.
5. Develop a checklist of materials and bring it to the training.
6. Make arrangements for printing, binding, and transportation of course materials well in advance of the training.
7. Request a sample handout from a trainer to be sure the materials meet the learning outcomes.
8. Assess the physical environment prior to training. Check room layout, equipment, table set up, etc.
9. Make sure you are familiar with equipment, or have a technical person on site to assist you.
10. Prepare a back-up plan.  What if the equipment doesn’t arrive?  What if there aren’t enough training materials?  What if the electricity doesn’t work?

When Delivering the Training…
1 Try to provide a 15-minute break approximately every 90 minutes and allow at least one hour for lunch.
2 Write questions that arise on a piece of flipchart paper and use as a summary at the end of the training.
3 Use case studies and real examples, when possible.
4 Check in with participants and ask them if they need a break.
5 During breaks, make yourself available to answer questions.
6 Move around the room instead of staying in one place, especially for group activities.
7 Ask participants questions about their experience.  These are invitations to share what they know and their expertise with their colleagues.
8 Refer back to comments that participants have made and use their name.  This reinforces participant involvement and highlights important comments made by participants. It also strengthens the interpersonal relationship between you and the participants.

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