In this issue:
1. Storytelling as a training tool?
2. Assess to Improve Learning
3. Your Continuing Education and Professional Development
1. Storytelling as a training tool?
By Karen Hyder
Stories are the foundation for how we communicate. Through the spoken word, stories enable humans to make a personal connection to content on a deeper and richer level. Storytelling encourages learning: meaning is derived and content is retained by connecting data and events through the contextual frame of our own past experiences.
Learners are constantly creating stories in training sessions, whether they know it or not. However, either the participant or the trainer isn't always conscious of those stories. By making the process more structured, the trainer can increase both the effectiveness of the knowledge transfer, and the comfort of the participants. More importantly, storytelling is fun. People are more motivated when they're having fun because they feel more competent.
When we embed learning in stories and storytelling exercises, we increase retention. What is important is what learners retain, not what we impart. Using stories can help you assess how much is the right amount of material for participants to absorb successfully. Think of it this way - is it more important that you cover every bit of information in the facilitator's guide, but the participants only retain 20% of what is taught? Or is it better that you focus on 20% less material, and 40% of your overall content is retained?
There many ways to incorporate stories into learning settings that make storytelling simple and non-threatening for both the trainer and the learners. So how do you get started? Join us for the Storytelling Workshop at the Computer Trainers' Summer Camp in San Francisco, CA, August 21-23. Computer Trainers' Summer Camp is one of three conferences co-located at Computer Training World Conferences & Expo. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 for complete details.
2. Assess to Improve Learning
By Rosalyn Zigmond
The purpose of an assessment is to improve learning. Assessments indicate the quality of progress by essentially asking, "How is it going?" An evaluation, on the other hand, judges the quality of a product by asking, "Is this good or bad?" Understanding the difference between assessments and evaluations is critical for instructors whose main objective is to improve learning. For example, an assessment is the waiter asking, "How is your meal?" - fully prepared to make any changes necessary to ensure your dining satisfaction. An evaluation is the restaurant critic judging the meal after it is eaten and recommending it, or not, to the general public.
Instructors have the opportunity to recommend changes to improve learning for adult learners when they assess, rather than evaluate. Remember the following when assessing adult learners:
1. Design assessments with learners' input. Who better than the learner knows how their learning is progressing?
2. Adult learners are distinct learners. Adults bring a special mix of motivation, experience, and self-direction to their learning.
3. Instructors provide leadership. Instructors are guides and facilitators who represent the voice of management, but also coach learners constructively.
4. Adults hate grades. Okay, nobody likes grades. However, adults tend to resent other adults who judge their learning.
Instructors and learners often confuse the roles of assessments and evaluations, but the distinction carries important ramifications in the learning process. Remember that assessments IMPROVE learning and evaluations JUDGE learning. Encourage adult learners to define their reasons for learning and how they will know if their learning was successful. Then, be the coach and watch the learning happen.
Rosalyn Zigmond is a member of the faculty at Computer Trainers' Summer Camp, August 21-23, 2000, San Francisco, CA, USA. Computer Trainers' Summer Camp is one of three conferences co-located at Computer Training World. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 for complete details.
3. Your Continuing Education and Professional Development
Here are some upcoming events for your continuing education and professional development you won't want to miss!
Computer Training World 2000
Three-Conferences-in-One format incorporating Technology Training Management Conference, The ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, and The Computer Trainers' Summer Camp
August 21-23, 2000, San Francisco, CA
THE event for the computer/technology training profession. This is the event to help you find your way through the issues of rapidly changing technology roll-outs, move from classroom to technology-delivered
instruction, and address certification, outsourcing, and retraining staff challenges. CTW is the ONLY event specifically targeted to those in the computer training industry. See http://www.influent.com/ctw2000.
Help Online 2000 Symposium
July 11-13, 2000 (Preconference workshops July 10) Chicago, IL
You asked for it! We are uniting the best faculty with Help writers, designers, developers, and managers in a unique Symposium format to facilitate inquiry and dialogue between faculty and participants. General sessions will be led by industry leaders. There will be no commercial element to this event! The focus is on learning, networking, sharing, and in-depth discussion within the framework of three tracks: Management Strategies, Tools & Techniques, and Trends and Issues. Visit http://www.influent.com/hol00/index.html. Proposals are now being accepted for this event. Contact Heidi Fisk at 651.686.7003 or mailto:hfisk@influent.com.
Seminars are offered nationwide by a distinguished faculty of industry leaders and experts.
The Art of Visual Interface Design
June 20-21, 2000, Chicago, IL
The objective of this introductory seminar is to present you with a set of key visual information and interaction design principles. It will provide first-hand experience in the conceptualization, creation, and application of visual communication and information design principles that will allow you to effectively and efficiently communicate ideas and information. You will leave this seminar with an understanding of how to design, develop, and manage attractive, useful and effective visual interfaces for online information delivery.
For more information or to register, please
visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/art.htm.
Designing, Developing and Implementing Effective Web-Based Instruction
June 29-30, 2000 ~ Chicago, IL
This workshop will ensure that you are adding value to your organization by stressing learning, not just the presentation of your web-based solutions. This is a hands-on workshop! In this workshop you use a proven systematic development model coupled with a rapid prototyping approach to decrease time to market and meeting business objectives in your development process.
For more information or to register, please
visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/designing.htm.
Project Management Workshop: A Field Guide to Success
June 29-30, 2000 ~ Chicago, IL
This workshop will focus on the fundamental issues facing project managers, team leaders, and project team members. The participant will be lead through a step-by-step project management method that incorporates techniques such as risk management, problem solving, estimating, change management, and managing scope. The participant will leave the workshop with the necessary tools and techniques to manage projects of all sizes.
For more information or to register, please
visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/project.htm.
