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Selecting Learning Activities. Think About Your Options. How to Select Activities. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/media.gif. The Currency of Attention. The average adult can sit and listen for about 10 minutes Build active learning techniques to improve and retain attention
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Selecting Learning Activities Think About Your Options
How to Select Activities • http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/media.gif
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
Linguistic-verbal Logical-mathematical Visual-spatial Bodily-kinesthetic Musical-rhythmic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist Learners are Individuals! When choosing activities, consider the full range of “multiple intelligences” - Howard Gardner http://www.ed.psu.edu/insys/ESD/gardner/menu.html
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!
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
More Approaches • Brainstorming – divergent, no bad ideas! • Case Studies – real world examples • Coaching - individual performance feedback • Consensus, Rating, Decision Making Activities - convergent
More Approaches • Debriefing Activities - (AAR, 3 Questions) interim and final review • Fishbowls - http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/learning/fishbowls.html • Future Visioning – planning, opening up possibilities • Lecture – keep it short!
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
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
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.)
Examples • Two Truths & a Lie: Can be an icebreaker or review activity • Crumpled Question Toss: review, knowledge sharing • Each One Teach One
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?
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)
More Training Technique & Activity Resources • Summary of Training Techniques – http://www.inquiry.net/adult/trainer/techniques.htm • Thiagi’s Interactive Strategies for Improving Performance - http://www.thiagi.com/ws-interactive-strategies-for-improving-performance.html
Icebreaker Resources • Don Clark’s Icebreakers - http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/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/31 & http://www.openconcept.ca/index.php/Facilitation/30 • http://www.topten.org/content/tt.AU20.htm • http://www.resultsthroughtraining.com/downloads/Icebreakers.HTML
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.doc