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Active Training turns instructional design on its head by shifting the emphasis away from the instructor, and on to the learner. Comprehensively updated to reflect the many developments in the field, this new fourth edition covers the latest technologies and applications, the evolving role of the trainer, and how new business realities impact training, advancing new evidence-based best practices for new trainer tasks, skills, and knowledge. Up to date theory and research inform the practical tips and techniques that fully engage learners and help them get the most out of sessions, while updated workplace examples and revised templates and worksheets help bring these techniques into the classroom quickly. You'll gain insight into improving training evaluation by using Return on Expectations (ROE), learn how to extend the value of training programs through transfer of learning, and develop fresh, engaging methods that incorporate state-of-the-art applications.
Active Training designs offer just the right amount of content; the right balance of affective, behavioral, and cognitive learning; a variety of approaches; real-life problem solving; gradual skill-building; and engaging delivery that uses the participants' expertise as a foundation for learning. This book is the classic guide to employing Active Training methods effectively and appropriately for almost any topic.
Active Training methods make training sessions fun, engaging, relevant, and most importantly, effective. Participants become enthusiastic about the material, and view sessions as interesting challenges rather than as means to fulfill requirements. To bring these widely endorsed methods into your training repertoire, Active Training is the complete practical handbook you need.
MEL SILBERMAN was Professor Emeritus of Adult and Organizational Development at Temple University for 41 years. Mel rose to international prominence for his contributions to the field of training. Mel passed away in 2010.
ELAINE BIECH is President of ebb associates inc, where she specializes in helping leaders maximize their effectiveness. She is the author or editor of over 60 books.
CAROL AUERBACH has over 25 years' experience designing and delivering corporate training programs for such companies as CIGNA Insurance, Kellogg's, and IBM.
Acknowledgments xi
Preface xiii
The Goals of This Book xiv
How This Book Is Organized xv
PART ONE INTRODUCING ACTIVE TRAINING 1
The Nature of Adult Learning 2
The Social Side of Learning 6
Concerns About Active Training 7
The Delivery of Active Training 10
PART TWO DESIGNING AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM 13
Steps for Designing Active Training 15
What’s in the Part Two Chapters? 17
Chapter One Assessing Training Needs 19
Why Do Assessment? 20
What Information Should Be Collected? 23
How Can Information Be Collected? 29
What If There Is No Time to Do a Proper Assessment? 38
Chapter Two Developing Active Training Objectives 41
Setting Learning Goals 42
Selecting Objectives 44
Specifying Objectives 47
Expressing Objectives 48
Communicating Training Objectives to Others 49
Chapter Three Creating Opening Exercises 53
What Opening Exercises Accomplish 53
What to Keep in Mind When Creating Opening Exercises 67
Ten Ways to Open an Active Online Virtual Training Session 68
Ten Ways to Obtain Participation 69
Chapter Four Preparing Brain-Friendly Presentations 75
Five Ways to Gain Your Audience’s Interest 75
Five Ways to Maximize Understanding and Retention 82
Five Ways to Involve Participants During a Presentation 88
Five Ways to Reinforce Presentations 94
An Example of a Well-Designed Presentation 99
Chapter Five Finding Alternative Methods to Presenting 103
Demonstration 103
Case Study 105
Guided Teaching 109
Group Inquiry 110
Information Search 113
Study Group 115
Jigsaw Learning 118
Learning Tournament 121
Applying the Alternatives to a Common Topic 123
Chapter Six Using Experiential Learning Approaches 129
Role Playing 130
Games and Simulations 139
Observation 144
Mental Imagery 148
Writing Tasks 152
Action Learning 155
Chapter Seven Designing Active Training Activities 165
The Three Major Ingredients of Any Design 165
Basic Questions About Any Design 169
The Remaining Details 170
Three Tips for Creative Designs 172
Chapter Eight Sequencing Active Training Activities 177
Basic Sequencing Guidelines 178
Applying Sequencing Guidelines 181
The Finer Side of Sequencing 188
Experiential Learning Sequences 193
Chapter Nine Planning Active Training Programs 199
The Macrodesign of an Active Training Program 199
Chapter Ten Incorporating Active Learning in All Training 207
Asynchronous E-Learning 208
Group-Based E-Learning 212
Virtual Classrooms 216
Blended Learning 218
Social Media Expands Active Training and Development 220
M-Learning Offers Instant Options 223
PART THREE CONDUCTING AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM 229
Chapter Eleven Beginning an Active Training Program 233
Preparing Yourself Mentally 233
Arranging the Physical Environment 236
Greeting Participants and Establishing Rapport 242
Getting the Best from the First Thirty Minutes of Training 245
Reviewing the Agenda 246
Inviting Feedback to the Agenda 248
Chapter Twelve Gaining Leadership of the Group 253
Setting Group Norms 253
Controlling Timing and Pacing 255
Increasing Receptivity to Your Leadership 257
Handling Problem Situations 258
Chapter Thirteen Giving Presentations and Leading Discussions 267
Knowing Your Group 267
Organizing Your Presentation 271
Watching Your Body Language 273
Adding Visuals 275
Making Smooth Transitions 277
Facilitating a Lively Discussion 279
Chapter Fourteen Facilitating Structured Activities and Promoting Team Learning 287
Structured Activities 87
Team Learning 298
Chapter Fifteen Concluding an Active Training Program 307
Reviewing Program Content 307
Obtaining Final Questions and Concerns 309
Promoting Self-Assessment 312
Focusing on Back-on-the-Job Application 315
Expressing Final Sentiments 316
PART FOUR EXTENDING THE VALUE OF AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM 319
Chapter Sixteen Providing for Back-on-the-Job Application 321
Prior to the Training Program 321
During the Training Program 323
At the End of the Training Program 324
Obstacle Assessment 328
Peer Consultation 329
Self-Monitoring 330
Follow-Up Coaching and Support 340
Chapter Seventeen Evaluating an Active Training Program 343
Expanding the Four Evaluation Levels 344
Designing Evaluations 354
Obtain Feedback Along the Way 355
PART FIVE THE EVOLVING ROLE OF TRAINERS 359
Chapter Eighteen Expanded Roles for Trainers 361
Onboarding 362
Leading Change 364
Coaching Managers 367
Mentoring Programs 368
Internal Consulting 371
Building Teams 373
Chapter Nineteen New Business Realities for Trainers 379
Doing More with Less 380
Globalization 382
Working with Multigenerational Workforces 384
Working with the C-Suite 386
Vendor Management 388
Working with Subject Matter Experts 390
We’ve Reached the End—Or Is It the Beginning? 391
References 395
About the Authors 399
Index 401
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