Month: October 2019

The Shirt Color Game

Even though my new role focuses on computer based training and online learning, I still pay close attention to any classroom style activities that would be helpful tools for a designer’s or presenter’s arsenal. I participate in a community choir, and this past weekend at our fall retreat the event organizer had our group play an ice-breaker game, and I immediately recognized it as something I would re-create in a classroom setting.

The presenter would select a color, then persons wearing a shirt that color would stand. Each standing person would take turns answering the same simple, get-to-know- you questions: where would you take your dream vacation? What was your favorite live concert? If you could have an unlimited supply of any food, what would it be?

I also realized this could be formatted for more strategic interaction. After a detailed presentation, divide into teams based on shirt color. Then the presenter can give each group a strategic, critical thinking question based on the information that was just reviewed. A few broad examples are listed below:

  • Based on the information you just heard, how would you respond to scenario X?
  • When you are applying or following the procedure we just discussed, what challenges should you expect? How can you prevent or resolve that challenge?
  • When you are applying or following the procedure we just discussed, what resources or tools are available to help you better succeed?

Like any classroom activity you will need to fine tune this to your group, their needs, and their learning objectives. This might not work as well in an environment where you training participants wear uniforms. I would focus on primary colors, so you may want to be prepared on how you address non-primary colors. (Persons wearing prints or patterns should be assigned to the predominant color.)

When I was in a role where I would help coordinate and plan classroom training events, I often heard pushback from presenters- it will be too chaotic to divide into groups, I don’t know how to add an interaction, it just sounds too complicated. I don’t know if it could get an easier than the exercise I described above. Your group divided themselves into “teams” when they dressed for work- all you have to do is build the questions and let the student teach themselves!

Good luck!

Policy Acknowledgement (Part 2)

As mentioned in my last post, my favorite training focuses on the behavioral change required based on policy or procedures changes or “missed” performance markers.  In effect, what should the learner to better or do differently after he/she/they complete the training?

I also understand why it is important to include policy text in a lesson.  When there are new guidelines or rules, you want to take every chance possible to review that information, but let’s face it- how many times do people pay attention to text heavy, lengthy policy slides?  That’s why it is important to build engaging and interactive training to help the learn grasp and practice processing new information.  (My background is in Human Resources.  More than once, I have handed an employee policy to review and acknowledge and then watched as they sign the form without thoroughly reading the document.)

In the past, I’ve offered the following example to project stakeholders and subject matter experts when discussing how to include policy. 

  • Include a few slides that give a high-level review of the policy- why it is in place or why it is updated, what the person should do new or differently, and what may happen if the person fails to abide by the policy. 
  • The fourth slide in my example features a scrolling panel with the entire policy text and an acknowledgement button. 
  • Be sure your lesson includes scenarios, simulated conversations, decision-making, true/false slides or other interactions to help the learner apply and practice the new skills. 
    • Your lesson design could route as follows:  Introduction, DOs/DON’Ts, acknowledgement, interactive content, conclusion/review.
    • Your lesson design could also route:  Introduction, DOs/DON’Ts, interactive content, conclusion/review, acknowledgement.
    • Regardless of where you place the acknowledgement in your design, hopefully your LMS is capable of tracking the user’s interaction with the button.
    • You could also add a second button- “I need more practice regarding how to apply this policy”.  When clicked, the user would repeat the more interactive content.

With many projects, a designer’s biggest challenge is balancing the subject matter experts content needs and expectations with solid instructional practices.  I think this example does exactly that! 

Click here to see the example!