Training - Training small groups - Providing opportunities for practice - Activities

When getting participants to practice new information it is essential that you give clear instructions for what you want them to do. This will ensure that they understand what is they need to do to and help them stay focused on the objectives. For example, asking participants to talk about training is not very clear, whereas asking them to discuss the advantages of planning a training session gives a very clear goal.

Setting a time frame is also important. This will encourage participants to focus on what is asked and not waste time. For example, participants have 10 minutes to discuss the pros and cons of wearing protective clothing when working with hazardous chemicals.

Following is a list of some learning activities you may want to use. You can use them as they are or modify them to suit the needs of participants.

Brainstorming
Participants think up ideas about a topic without making any judgement of them

Buzz pair
Pairs of participants have a short discussion or brainstorm

Debate
Two teams consider the pros and cons of a topic

Oral report
One participant tells the group the results of a small group discussion or brainstorm

Quiz
Questions are pre-set for an oral question and answer session with the group

Role-play
Participants act out situations related to the topic

Written report
Participants write about the topic for a particular purpose

Tomorrow: Encouraging participants and providing feedback (2 parts)

Mike Hitchen
Mike Hitchen Consulting