Selecting Learning Activities

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Selecting Learning Activities

• Think About Your Options

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How to Select Activities

• http//www.nwlink.com/donclark/hrd/media.gif

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The Currency of Attention

• The average adult can sit and listen for about 10
  minutes
• Build active learning techniques to improve and
  retain attention
• Vary your activities
• Consider divergent and convergent
• Use different modalities

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Learners are Individuals!
When choosing activities, consider the full range
of multiple intelligences - Howard Gardner

• Musical-rhythmic
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
• Naturalist

• Linguistic-verbal
• Logical-mathematical
• Visual-spatial
• Bodily-kinesthetic

http//www.ed.psu.edu/insys/ESD/gardner/menu.html
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Convergent Divergent Processes

• Divergent activities which open up actions and
  ideas and do not require agreement or decision
  making. Example brainstorming.
• Convergent activities which ask groups to move
  towards a shared outcome or goal. Example
  prioritization and decision making. These
  generally require more process.
• Mix the two styles!

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Example Approaches

• Action Learning - action reflection - extends
  learning outside the training room
• Action Research - research action reflection
  extends learning
• Appreciative Inquiry - asset based
• Assessment-Based Learning Activities tests,
  quizes and audits

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More Approaches

• Brainstorming divergent, no bad ideas!
• Case Studies real world examples
• Coaching - individual performance feedback
• Consensus, Rating, Decision Making Activities -
  convergent

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More Approaches

• Debriefing Activities - (AAR, 3 Questions)
  interim and final review
• Fishbowls - http//www.nwlink.com/donclark/hrd/le
  arning/fishbowls.html
• Future Visioning planning, opening up
  possibilities
• Lecture keep it short!

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Games

• Icebreakers introductions, create comfort
• Energizers physical and mental refreshment
• Content Focused Games games designed to support
  the learning goals
• See http//www.deepfun.com, http//www.nasaga.org
  and http//www.thiagi.com

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Performance Type Activities

• Improvisation supports creativity, flexibility
• Question and Answer use adults expertise
• Skits kinesthetic and visual
• Role Play experience different perspectives
• Simulations practice in a safe environment

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Example Activities

• Questions for Another Group (peer learning)
• How to Use this at Work? (relevance)
• Case Studies With Questions (exemplars)
• Stump the Trainer (gauge group knowledge)
• Turn to Your Neighbor (large group/small
  conversation)
• Quick Quiz (5-6 questions, group or individ.)

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Examples

• Two Truths a Lie Can be an icebreaker or
  review activity
• Crumpled Question Toss review, knowledge sharing
• Each One Teach One

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Use/Tell/Different

• What is one thing you will use (tomorrow, soon,
  next week)?
• What is one thing you will tell others
  (colleagues, stakeholders, etc) about?
• What one thing you would improve the next time?

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More Activities

• Fill in the Blanks (blanks in handouts)
• Crossword Puzzle (content focused training)
• Find the Question/Find the Answer (prepared
  cards, group activity, movement)
• You Read It/You Teach It (for non technical
  content)

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More Training Technique Activity Resources

• Summary of Training Techniques
  http//www.inquiry.net/adult/trainer/techniques.ht
  m
• Thiagis Interactive Strategies for Improving
  Performance - http//www.thiagi.com/ws-interactive
  -strategies-for-improving-performance.html

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Icebreaker Resources

• Don Clarks Icebreakers - http//www.nwlink.com/d
  onclark/leader/icebreak.html
• http//www.bbyo.org/bbg/ideas/mixers.html
• Introduction Icebreakers - http//honolulu.hawaii.
  edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip
  /breakice.htm
• http//www.openconcept.ca/index.php/Facilitation/3
  1 http//www.openconcept.ca/index.php/Facilitati
  on/30
• http//www.topten.org/content/tt.AU20.htm
• http//www.resultsthroughtraining.com/downloads/Ic
  ebreakers.HTML

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Energizer Resources

• http//www.johnsleigh.com.au/energizers.htm
• http//www.energizeinc.com/art/aget.html
• http//www.zhaba.cz/materials/misc/energizers.html
  
• http//www.jef-europe.net/infopool/files/IPSEM8.do
  c