Tools, Tips, Toys & Other Tidbits

Glance through previous issues for training tips, links to great articles and mentors, new products and ideas.

January 2012
Feature Article: 10 Creative Ways to Form Groups by Barbi Honeycutt, Ph.D.
"Group work is an excellent way to build community, enhance collaboration, increase engagement and improve critical thinking skills," The challenge is how to divide participants into effective working groups in a way that is efficient, effective, and sometimes fun..." more

December 2011
Feature Article: Take a Stand: Connecting Learners to Learners and Learners to the Topic by Sharon Bowman
"In traditional training sessions, learners remain seated while participating in small group discussions about topic-related issues. With "Take-a-Stand", learners move around the room and choose a designated place to stand before engaging in small group discussions." In this exercise, Sharon explains how learners can use higher order thinking skills to engage more deeply in the concepts they're learning..." more

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September 2011
Feature Article: Stop Presenting, And start engaging by Robin Hatcher
"Face it. Your meetings and presentations are boring," says Robin Hatcher in a recent article featured in American Express's Open Forum. Hatcher warns, "It's easy enough to blame PowerPoint....but blaming the slides for a boring presentation is like blaming the dining room for a boring dinner party."..." more

August 2011
Feature Article: Valuing Teachers and Trainers 
“You’re a teacher, Bhaarati. Be honest. What do you make?”
Bhaarati, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could..." more

July 2011
Feature Article: Training or Educating?  by Bob Pike
Are we Teachers? Trainers? Facilitators of learning? What DO we call ourselves? Bob Pike explores the question... more

June 2011
Feature Article: Are you even listening to me?  by Betty Lochner
Lochner says, "when you really listen to someone to hear what they are saying, you make them feel appreciated, interesting, and respected" -- what a great way to set the tone for an effective learning event..... more

May 2011
Feature Article: Using Video in Training 
This article that appeared almost a decade ago in Entrepreneur magazine reminds us how to do video training well, including: 1. Find the right video 2. Prepare the equipment! 3. Know the video inside out 4. Prepare for discussion ... more

March 2011
Feature Article: Turn your content into a high-impact webinar!   by Jean DiGiovanna
Seven great tips on converting your best and greatest training sessions into effective webinars. 1. Finding the right topic, time, and price 2. Setting direction before diving into design.... more

February 2011
Feature Article: 6 great mnemonics for trainers!  by Sue Landay
Following is a selection of our all-time favorite mnemonics for teaching and training... B.R.E.A.D. How to facilitate icebreakers (Brief, Rules, Engage, Answer, Debrief .... more

January 2011
Feature Article: Adding humor to training is not for dummies! by Elaine Biech
Use humor to defuse unexpected situations. Here are some examples you may want to try. If you lose your place or pause too long, you can say, "I just wanted to wait a moment in case any of you have lost your place." .... more

November 2010
Feature Article: 35 ways to use an iPhone in a workshop by Dwayne Hodgson
We've all been lamenting the menacing impact of cell phones and smart phones during learning sessions. We've discussed favorite ways of asking participants to kindly put them away.In his article, Hodgson takes a different approach .... more

October 2010
Feature Article: 6 Trumps: The Brain Science that Makes Training Work by Sharon Bowman
This fresh article offers a summary of 6 brain science principles that trump traditional learning methods. In a nutshell, the six principles that make learning stick are: 1. Movement trumps sitting 2. Talking trumps listening 3. Images trump words 4. Writing trumps reading." .... more

September 2010
Feature Article: Intermission is Over by Juggling Elephants
The folks at Juggling Elephants bring us a thoughtful and timely article with a handful of tips to get us "back in the ring." They advise, "Before you find yourself juggling elephants and screaming for another intermission (summer vacation), consider these tips to run your circus instead of letting your circus run you." .... more

August 2010
Feature Article: EIGHT STRATEGIES "How to Use Stories to Increase Learning & Facilitate Trainings" by Terrence Gargiulo
"We communicate, think, and learn through stories," says Terrence Gargiulo. Stories come in all different forms including personal experiences, anecdotes, metaphors, analogies, or jokes. The guiding rule for using stories in trainings or workshops is to be sensitive to the group. By staying tuned in to the group’s ever changing needs, you will be able to find the right stories to tell at the right time, elicit group member’s stories and increase learning." .... more

July 2010
Feature Article: eLearning 101 by Susan Landay, Trainers Warehouse President
The article breaks down the myriad of eLearning tools into four comprehensible categories that "Any Goofball Can Learn."-- it's a great mnemonic to understand eLearning, where the A is for Authoring; G is for Games; C is for Conferencing and L is for LMS.... more

June 2010
Feature Article: Icebreaker Challenge: 100 people. All indoors. Dynamite experience by Tom Wujec
"It's a tall order to find an engaging experience for a large number of people that sets the tone for your learning event, is related to your topic area, and offers a "debrief-able" experience. Tom Wujec's Marshmallow Challenge is one such exercise that was recently featured in a TED Talk... more

April 2010
Feature Article: 7 Ways to Keep Audience Attention by Olivia Mitchell
"Trainers and teachers often don't consider themselves to be "presenters," so much as "facilitators of learning." But every so often they have a body of new material they need to present to their group. Olivia Mitchell's blog entry "7 Ways to Keep Audience Attention in a Presentation" will help you maximize the effectiveness... more

March 2010
Feature Article: Trading Places - an Active Training Tool by Mel Silberman
"In celebration of Mel Silberman's life and contributions, we wanted to share one of the tools presented on Mel's website--the Trading Places exercise--a great technique to help participants get acquainted; exchange opinions; and consider new ideas, values, or solutions to problems.... more

February 2010
Feature Article: Suggestions for the First Hour of a Training Session by Trainers Warehouse
"The more than 100 comments posted on LinkedIN were so chockfull of wonderful suggestions that we thought it would be interesting to share them... more

November 2009
Feature Article: Keys to Successful Training: Linking Learning through the Senses by Stacey Horn-Spirito
"By linking learning through engaging the senses, we are more likely to remember, retain, and use the information." In her article, Spirito advises us how to engage our learners by stimulating the senses, without causing sensory overload... more

October 2009
Feature Article: Firm or Fluffy? by Paul Wright
Accelerated learning is sometimes criticized for being too "fluffy." In his article, "Are yours firm or fluffy (outcomes, that is)," Paul Wright explores two ways a trainer could approach course development -- just fun? or brain-friendly methodology tied to purposeful programming... more

September 2009
Feature Article: Risk Taking in the Classroom by Sam Sikes
"Taking risks is a part of life," It is also a part of training. Trainers and participants experience risk too--but sometimes not enough. In his article we learn how to take away some of our safety nets and introduce experiences with unpredictable and uncertain outcomes... more

July 2009
Feature Article: Presentation Tips for Trainers by Claudyne Wilder
Claudyne's tips offer some great reminders to keep us performing at our best ... more

June 2009
Feature Article: HumanE Presentations by Rich Allen
"What if our #1 goal as corporate presenters was to make the experience as humane as possible for the people involved?" What follows are the nine strategies which, when used together, will ensure that whatever information you hope to convey will be memorable for your audience or class. ... " more

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May 2009
Feature Article: Why Movies by Becky Pluth
Have you thought about using movie clips to improve retention?  Becky Pike Pluth, author of the 101 Movie Clips book, explains that movies can be incredibly effective as teaching tools, because they evoke emotion and engage the whole brain. ... " more

April 2009
Feature Article: Mnemonic Devices - brain shortcuts that aid memory by Marcia Tate
In her book, Sit and Get Won't Grow Dendrites, Tate describes the what, why, and how of using mnemonics and other information "chunking" devices -- in other words, brain shortcuts -- to help learners remember more.  These easy-to-use strategies... " more

February 2009
Feature Article: Does one size fit all in training? by Jean Barbazette
In her article, Jean Barbazette identifies the key challenge of matching lessons to the needs of the learners..., Barbazette walks us through 5 experiential learning steps that enable us to make our training accessible to and effective for all... " more

January 2009
Feature Article: Creating Sacred Spaces for Learning by Michael Milano
Milano talks about how training directly benefits from the formation of sacred learning space--space that is effective, efficient, but most importantly, engaging... " more

December 2008
Feature Article: Wake 'em up! 7 Tips for Interactive E-Learning by Sharon Bowman
..."no matter what type of e-learning we're exploring, these seven tips will help us create sessions that are interactive and NOT BORING! They are easy to implement and do not require complex or costly software... " more

November 2008
Feature Article: 7 Just-right Challenges by Mike Doctoroff, Chairman, Trainers Warehouse
Mike introduces Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 's theory of "flow" and suggests 7 challenges to help learners become engaged in their learning without growing either bored or frustrated... more

September 2008
Feature Article: Laws of Learning by "Thiagi "
In this quick article, Thiagi reviews 14 Laws of Learning that pertain to adults, including: Law of previous experience Law of relevance Law of self-direction etc. For each of these, he describes the law and suggests some facilitation techniques to help you tailor your workshop... . more

July 2008
Feature Article: Students Click, and a Quiz Becomes a Game
Audience response clickers are becoming increasingly popular in today's corporate and educational learning centers--and for good reason! In a 15-week study conducted... more

May 2008
Feature Article: Choose meeting icebreakers wisely! by Lyndsay Swinton
"Well chosen icebreakers bond teams and ease people through the discomfort of getting to know others better. However, a badly chosen icebreaker can cause more discomfort than it cures." In her article, Swinton offers some tips on how to choose appropriate icebreaker games. visors.. . more

April 2008
Feature Article: No More Excuses: Data supports Brain-based Learning by Susan Landay
...The truth is, Brain-Based Learning is imperative, and we're not just talking about fancy PowerPoint slides. In this article, No More Excuses, I share more than a dozen research data points that point to the effectiveness of BBL. Please take them and share them with your class and supervisors. . . more

February 2008
Feature Article: Build Confidence in Your Learners by David B. Wilson
"My successful, intelligent and experienced adult learners are riddled with anxiety! What's going on here?" asks Trainer David B. Wilson. Wilson offers more than a dozen tips that will help your learners to build the confidence they need to be successful in your training programs. . . more

October 2007
Feature Article: Free Icebreakers! by Greg P. Smith
Gregory Smith has written extensively on icebreakers and team building activities for corporate groups.  He has some terrific ideas and shares three of his favorites on line for FREE . . . more

September 2007
Feature Article: Why "Learnertainment" Works by Lenn Millbower
Millbower shares the theory that resulted from his journey to become a "Learnertainer," focusing on a chain of reactions: Entertainment creates Emotion > Emotion creates Attention > Attention creates Meaning > . . . more

August 2007
Feature Article: Interactive Lectures - 36 Formats by "Thiagi"
Master of training and games, Thiagi serves up 36 quick snippets that will make your next training session more interactive, more fun and more effective. Each of these 36 Formats is rich in creativity. . . more

June 2007
Feature Article: Make Your Message Stick by Sharon Bowman
In her article, "Four Ways to Make Your Message Stick," Sharon Bowman shares a few "must-have" tricks to have up your sleeve. Although you may not be surprised by these straightforward techniques, she reminds us that they're easy to implemen. . . .more

March 2007
Feature Article: Ten Great Reasons to Use Classroom Games by Steve Sugar
Why use classroom games? From his discussions with countless clients and workshop participants comes this list of the ten very best reasons for using learning games. We hope they will remind and stimulate you to consider learning games as a training alternative. . . more

February 2007
Feature Article: Five Stages of Group Formation by Karl M. Kapp
Kapp identifies 6 different types of knowledge that can be taught through games, including: facts, concepts, rules, procedures, principles, and problem-solving. . . more

November 2006
Feature Article: Five Stages of Group Formation by Jim McCain
For each of the five stages, Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Transforming, McCain offers an explanation and a series of activities that will help teams understand and successfly move through that phase. . . more

September 2006
Sleuth Your Way to Success by Sue Doctoroff Landay
...30-minute communication game will enrapture your learners. And, it will teach them the importance of working together to uncover facts and sort their way to a solution."... more

July 2006
Feature Article:Teach Serious Learners Playfully by Sue Doctoroff Landay
Some trainers would like to bring playful learning into their classroom but feel they simply can't--their students are just too serious--accountants, bankers, vice presidents, techies, etc... more

June 2006
10 Tips for Better Presentations by Peter R. Garber
The most important visual in your training presentation, he says, is YOU! Included in his Top 10 (and explained in greater detail) are:

• Look the part
• Pay attention to your non-verbals
• Get your voice heard...more

• Listen actively
• Keep your cool
• Don't get drawn into arguments
• Know your audience
• Get help
• . . . and above all, tell the truth!. . . more
  

April 2006
Feature Article: Making Meetings Fun by Bernie De Koven
"Sometimes a meeting is actually fun. You may not realize it until after the meeting's over," says Bernie DeKoven. When that happens, he says, you're likely to reflect back on the meeting and find that you were speaking intelligently and actually accomplished something!... more

February 2006
Feature Article: Creating Dynamic Presentations by Carolyn B. Thompson
No matter how much you practice what you'll say, surveys show that "less than 10% of your impact comes from the words you speak. The real impact comes from your tone, facial expressions, and body language. Discover 35 tips for using your brain and body to create a dynamic presentation... more

January 2006
Feature Article: Coaching-Approaches and Archetypes: Eight Possibilities for Event-Driven Coaching by Dr. Steve Albrecht, PHR, CPP
Change, in most areas of our lives, is driven by events. Coaches can get called in when problems reach a pinnacle. Albrecht shows the trainer what he or she can do when a coaching intervention is needed. . . more

December 2005
Feature Article: The Power of Play by Teambonding
Team building games and training have been played for centuries. The game of chess was created in the 4th Century for teaching strategy to military and political leaders. Goldstein quotes Plato, saying, "You learn more about a person in an hour of play than in a lifetime of conversation." . . . more

November 2005
Feature Article: A Lesson in Comedy by Lynn Grasberg
In public speaking, humor works. "In fact," Grasberg says, "it's essential. You do not have to be a stand-up comedian to hold your audience but you do have to be able to find and share the absurdities of life with them. . . . . more

October  2005
Feature Article: Make Orientation a Success by Jean Barbazette
Jean explains there are 12 key factors to making an new employee orientation program a success:
KEY FACTOR #1 -- Orientation must be an ongoing process, a process that needs to be refined and customized for each organization and group of employees. It is not just a single-day event... more

September  2005
Feature Article: Doing the Right Thing by Lou Russell
"Have you ever attended a seminar that you enjoyed enormously ... and months later, stumbled upon the workbook you took away from that seminar, read the title and realized that while the class was great fun, you learned nothing valuable about its ostensible topic?"... more

July  2005
Feature Article: Be Prepared by Denis Gratton
True or False?
1. All trainers are naturally well-organized and neat. 2. All training sites are well-stocked with supplies. 3. Training supplies are easy to organize and carry.  Gratton recommends a "must-have" packing list for all trainers.  . .  more

1. Training is a process, not an event.
2. There are multiple people involved in getting results from training.
3. The purpose of training is for people to leave impressed with themselves, not intimidated by the instructor.. more

May 2005
Feature Article: Generating Participation by Peter Renner, EdD
How do you encourage shy students or rein in over-eager hand raisers? How do you start up healthy discussions where students REALLY listen to one another? Peter Renner, EdD offers 35+ practical activities and approaches to help you with your group... more

April 2005
Feature Article:  How to Stay Stressed  by Dr. Jane Bluestein, Ph.D.
Stress is so prevalent, one might make this conclusion: We all want to stay stressed!   In this humorous article, find a myriad of reasons explaining why we've come to prefer stress . . . more

March  2005
Feature Article:  Hecklers, Hardliners, and Heavy Questions: Handling Difficult Questions and Questioners with Eloquence and Ease  by Craig Harrison
Teachers and trainers are frequently in the "hot seat," fielding difficult questions from difficult questioners.
In this brief article, Harrison shares some mental and physical strategies to help you think on your feet, speak on your feet, and avoid putting your feet into your mouth...more

February 2005
Feature Article:  Learnertainment Works   by Lenn Millbower
When Millbower realized that he could not keep his college students' attention, but a 3 hour long Titanic movie could, he began looking for entertainment techniques he could apply to his classroom... more

January 2005
Feature Article:   Check For Understanding by Sharon Bowman
You ask if they got it. They smile and nod, "uh huh." But did they?  In this article, Bowman explores how to make sure your trainees "get it" the first time you say it. She offers 5 "check-for-understanding" strategies that will give you a good idea of whether your group got it, will remember it, and then apply what they learned...  more

December 2004
Feature Article:  Humor: It's Serious Business by Doni Tamblyn
In this article, Tamblyn asserts that humor is, indeed, a skill and a gift--but it is one that everyone was born with in spades. All it takes is a bit of creativity and playfulness...   more

November 2004
Feature Article: Weave Course Content into your Icebreakers by Mel Silberman
"It's always a good idea to use the beginning of a training session as a time to get to know your participants and for your participants to get to know each other. By doing so, you begin to create the interactive community that sustains active learning...more

October 2004
Feature Article:   Secrets of Successful Facilitators by Dr. Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan
In this timeless article on successful facilitation, Thiagi explores 6 tensions that facilitators wrestle with every day. The key to effective facilitation, he explains, is flexibility. Facilitators need to be adaptive, proactive, responsive, and resilient. But how? By carefully balancing these 6 tensions...more