Training Methods

Training Methods • Dr. M. Akhter Hossain • Director, Training, NIPORT • Doctor of Philosophy (UK) • Master of Arts (England) • Master Trainer (USA) • Master of Science, Dhaka University. • DHMS, BHMCS, Dhaka.

Training Methods Definition Training method is a device used by the trainers to determine the pattern of instructions and participation, and to reinforce the learning process.

Importance of Using Training Methods • To ensure participation • To remove monotony • To make the topic attractive to the learners • To make the topic easier to the participants • To establish participants’ ownership in the learning process • To make the session conduction easier • To ensure participants attention throughout the session

Different Training Methods • Brain Storming • Discussion • Presentation • Hands on practice /simulated practice/dummy practice • VIPP method • Role Play • Case study • Group work • Question and Answer

Brain Storming Definition Brain storming is a participatory technique used by both the trainers / facilitator and trainee/ participants for generating comprehensive ideas or a variety of solutions to problem. In the participatory training this is creative way of generating the greatest number of ideas in the shortest possible time.

The method is particularly helpful to • Generate definitions • Stimulate interest in the topic to be discussed at the beginning of a lecture • Share prior knowledge and expectations • Plan program and activities • Draw on trainees active participation as an icebreaker.

Steps of Brain Storming Step-1 • Defining the problem for which solutions are required: • The trainer or the group facilitators explain briefly what he/she wants the participants to do. • All members of the brain storm group must be clear about the kinds of ideas that they are trying to produce.

Steps of Brain Storming Cont…. Step-2 • The participants need to be remind the following rules about brainstorming: • All ideas /suggestions are acceptable and must be written down. No censoring/editing is allowed. • The aim is for quantity NOT quality • No discussion, criticism, representation or clarification of any kind is permitted • Environment of freedom of thoughts is maintained. • Environment for encouraging new ideas and contributions from maximum number of participants. • Should be completed within 5-7 minutes.

Steps of Brain Storming Cont…. Step-3 • After about 5-7 minutes or when the responses died off, the group look at the list they have. Then the facilitator will- • Discuss what has come up, especially anything unexpected, explaining any terms of concepts the whole groups are not clear on. • Sort things in to groups • Decide to keep some suggestions on the list for future discussion or to throw them out. The aim is not decide whether the idea is good or not simply to whether it is worth discussing in the present comment.

Steps of Brain Storming Cont…. Step-4 • After the review the remaining ideas are discussed to decide which suggestions to accept and to develop the ideas further. • The most important principles to be followed at this stage is that every single ideas are discussed and agreements/consensus are reached.

Presentation/Lecture • The Lecture method is both the most widely used and the most abused technique of training. It is primarily a one way communication: one person presents a prepared talk or a series of facts or information of a particular subject. The lecture is very economical is that little time wasted with discussion.

Opportunities • Time saving • Control of topic • Repetition • Economy • Flexible group size

Limitations • One way communication • Boredom • Attention span • Lower retention rate • The canned talk • Feed back

Lecture Discussion • The lecture discussion is a modified version of the lecture, combining the content session with some discussion on the part of the trainees. This easy modification helps to overcome some of the earlier disadvantages of the lecture techniques used by itself. A lecture can be improved by asking questions that make the audience think about your ideas or concepts

Advantage The advantage of discussion is that you get immediate feed back and can therefore, immediately correct any misunderstandings. One of the disadvantages is that the group may stay away from the intended topic. More time is required than for the lecture.

Group Work By group work we mean subdivision of a larger group that may range in size from three to six trainees. The small group is the basic unit forms, participatory training. Small groups, also known as buzz groups because of its noise. It has three characteristics: • Active participation • Face to face contact • Purposeful activity

Opportunities • Involvement of everyone • Reduced per pressure • Variety of experience • Exchange of ideas

Limitations • Unfamiliarity • Voluntary participation • Lack of leadership • Lack of organization

Making group work effective • Keep groups to 3-6 people • Be very clear in giving task instructions to groups • Monitor the groups • Keep track of time • Have a plan for how to manage the group reports to the large group

What is Role Play? Role playing has an important place in training as a method of simulating real life situations, from the lives of other people besides the ones who are playing the role in order to understand these situations better. It is an effective way of bringing into the classroom the real life situations which otherwise may not be possible.

Advantages of Role Play • The real situation of field can be dramatized in the classroom situation • Learning becomes attractive • Subject becomes easier to the participants • In many cases expensive field training can be avoided • Communication skills is easily be mastered • Personal development is quickened by receiving feedback from all • It helps trainees to work independently • It is useful in strengthening the skills of human interaction • The trainee can practice and receive expert advice or criticism and opinion of other colleagues in a ‘protected training situation’

Limitations • All topics can not be taught through this method • Expected result can not be achieved, if there is lack of skill of the trainer in facilitating the role-play session • The trainees may be inactive or too embarrassed • It may not have relationship to reality

Concept of Demonstration In this techniques trainer / demonstrator shows the process of a skill in front of the trainees slowly and perfectly using the relevant materials and aids. Here the role of demonstrator is vital

Advantages  Audio and visual organs work together  Helps to memorize the subject  Easy to understand the subject  Make the subject attractive  Taking part in demonstration learners get exposure with the real job  Participants are more convinced because they see things for themselves  It does not sound theoretical but practical  It gives an opportunity to the trainees to practice. Therefore, it gives them confidence

Limitations: • Result can not expected as desired if demonstration is not done perfectly • Learning becomes in effective if chart/material/aides is to small or unclear • Demonstration can not be applied for every topics • Desired result can not be achieved in large group • The required equipment may not always be available or may be two sophisticated to be used in real life situation

Case Study The Case stud is another important technique that should become familiar with and know how to use properly. The case study is an actual presentation, either written or verbal, of an incident that either did or could happen in related area.

Steps in delivering a Case Study • Make a transition from the previous activity • Distribute case to participants • Provide an opportunity to read the case • Briefly overview the case, clarify facts of the case • You may give task instructions at this point • Divide learners in to small groups to wok on the task • Monitor small group work • Manage group report outs and process the discussion using facilitation skills.

Limitations • Artificiality • Time consuming • Cost • Lack of information • Identifiably

Training Methods