Those who have been through employment training more than once will likely tell you that there are two basic types of training: the ‘lecturing professor’ type and the ‘interactive, enthusiastic’ type. You can probably guess which one is more effective.
There are three basic ways to improve training so that it leans more towards enthusiasm and less towards lecturing. Of course, enthusiastic training can go over the top as well. We’re not after a Richard Simmons high-energy enthusiasm, but instead we want an engaging, fun experience for all involved. Gaining that balance between fun and learning is something that school teachers, personal coaches, and trainers have striven to achieve for years. Luckily, it’s not always that hard when your goal is great employee training.
Three simple tools can be your key to improved employee training: making connections, embracing multimedia, and being interactive. Lets look at those in more detail.
== Making Connections
Know the names of those who are in your training session. First names are best, but both names can sometimes be helpful. Knowing a little about your students before they sit down to learn can mean making a personal connection and establishing a connection. That connection serves to bring your individual students closer to the material through you.
Greeting students and calling them by name during sessions shows them that you aren’t just there to lecture. Knowing a little about them allows you to create examples that are personally connected to each of them.
For example, instead of pointing out simple facts, ask them as questions. ‘Mary, your two kids are in grade school. Right? When you gently prod them towards specific outfits for school instead of the pajamas they probably wanted to wear, you’re implying a dress code. Think that would work with those you’re supervising at work?’
Creating these connections builds relationships and makes the learning experience a conversation rather than a lecture.
== Embracing Multimedia
While some multimedia, such as PowerPoint presentations, are often used as lecture tools, it’s possible (and relatively easy) to make multimedia work in your favor as an interactive tool instead. Avoid using a lot of text and words in your PP slides and instead stick with graphics that illustrate the points your making. This makes mental connections between the imagery and your words, building interaction.
When supplemented with audience-driven conversation and Q&A, this can be a very powerful learning tool that actually speeds up the process and increases retention.
== Be Interactive
Both of the above two tips are building towards this third cornerstone. Interactivity is the best way to not only engage your students and make the learning experience more memorable, but it also increases retention and speeds up the learning curve. The more interactive (and preferably hands-on) your training is, the more your students will learn – and they’ll do it in less time.
Role playing and pop quizzes are a good start. Asking for anecdotes related to your points is also a good way to build interaction and audience connections.
Doing these things can greatly improve your employee training experience and effectiveness.