Category Archives: Training Activities

People Skills Training Resources

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The month of June is recognized as “International People Skills Month.”  In today’s work climate, especially in the non-profit sector and the human service field, strong soft skills are vital to both the organizations and the people we serve. People skills that are needed to succeed in the workplace today include:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Getting along with others
  • Active listening skills.

In recognition of “people skills month,” I have added links below that will help you in creating training activities, ice-breakers, and exercises that will reinforce learning in the areas of active listening, diversity, teambuilding and communication.

Active Listening Activities

6 Listening Skills Exercises to Promote Stronger Communication-Udemy

50 Communication Activities, Icebreakers, and Exercises- Peter R. Garber

Active Listening games for Adults-ehow

Communication and Listening Exercise- Energize Learning Blog

Listening Games for Adults-Buzzle

Diversity

10 Team Building Activities that Bring a Diverse Workplace Together-takeflyte.com

Diversity Ideas & Activities for the Workplace- Chron

Diversity Training Activities in the Workplace- Chron.com

Workplace Diversity Games-ehow

Teambuilding

10 Quick and Easy Team Building Exercises (Huddle) Part 1

10 Quick and Easy Team Building Exercises (Huddle) Part 2

15 Fun Team Building Exercises- Tweak Your Biz

15 Teambuilding Activities for the Workplace (About Money)

Business Balls.com

Mindtools

Teampedia.net

Team Building Activities for Adults

Team Building Directory

Teamwork Games to Engage Employees at Work (Refresh Leadership)

Storing Training Supplies

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Ice-breakers, games and energizers are a great way to reinforce skills and to also provide immediate feedback. I am a true believer that the learning process should be fun and engaging. Organizing the tools that I use for games and activities on the other hand, has been quite challenging. I have made many attempts to find the best way to organize training supplies in a manner which would be easy to use. In the past, I have tried many different ways of organizing training materials including planning ahead by putting out enough supplies for the number of people expected. However, this did not always work especially when additional people would show up for the training.
basketI decided the best way to solve this problem was to find a storage bin that I would be able to prepare in advance and put away with ease. On a visit to a local teacher supply store, I came across these caddies. Right away I knew they would be perfect. I love that the caddies are available in an assortment of colors including green, orange, purple, blue and black.
Training supplies that I generally use on a regular basins includes pens, pencils and markers which fit nicely into the caddy.

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markers1 I also include index cards and post-its as a way for people to write down any questions they may have or a way to engage people during a training activity.

indec cards

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 A few examples on  ways of using the caddies:
This caddies includes markers, scissors and post-its for a group depending on the size of the group, I may have baskets that are identical for a general exercise but if the activity is more of a creative exercise, the caddies may differ.
caddiesample This caddie includes pens, markers tape, rubber bands and index cards my goal is always to make the activity as much fun as possible.
I also like that the caddies are stackable which makes it easy to put away. It is also easy to transport if you conduct trainings at multi-sites
Where to Purchase
There are a number of places where these caddies can be found. I mentioned earlier that I was able to locate them at a teacher supply store and most places offer the option of purchasing online or in person.
School Outlet- 4 in a pack for $11.45
Lakeshore Learning- 6 piece for 29.99
Dollar Tree-24 minimum for $24.00 (a case)

 

 

Serving Snacks During Training Sessions

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The Staff Trainer’s Blog

 

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?

National Nutrition Month was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to focus on the importance of making healthy informed food choices. This is so tough for me especially when I am constantly on the run. Between conducting trainings and attending meetings, every once in a while, I feel the need to grab something quick to snack on and according to my scale the vending machine is not my friend!

Most trainings, seminars and conferences that I have attended seem to have a direct connection to food. Water is typically served at larger venues, while smaller workshops that I have attended tend to include continental breakfast or lunch. I have learned over the years that there is no greater motivator while conducting trainings than food and as a learning and development professional, it is often a balancing act in merging the two together.

Most States offer standards in providing healthful choices when serving food at meetings or events. Here in the State of New York, guidelines allow for serving snacks including mixed nuts, air-popped popcorn with light seasoning, water and an assortment of fresh fruits such as apples and pears.

So if you are on a budget like me, what are the best snacks to offer that are both filling and nutritious?

Trailmix- Most Trailmix snacks tend to offer a combination of dried fruits, nuts and chocolate. Trailmix is a snack that can be bought in bulk and is easy to store. It also provides a quick energy boost and is great to serve during the midday and late afternoon when most participants start to get tired.

trail mix

trailmix chips

Almonds-Almonds can also be purchased in bulk and there are many health benefits of eating almonds including relief from constipation, respiratory disorders, anemia and protects the artery walls from damage.

almonds

Pretzels- This is a snack that comes with iron, zinc and folate and is low in fat. The downside is that the sodium is high, so it should only be offered in moderation

pretzils2

Water- saving the best for last, water has so many great benefits including controlling count calories, helps in digestion and constipation, flushes out toxins and relieves fatigue. If possible, water should be offered throughout the day.

Do you offer any snacks that are not on the list? Would love to hear from you.

 

 

Book of the Month

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book month logo

As workplace learning and development professionals, we spend most of our time improving the performance levels of employees and organizations. However, in order for us to stay current on the latest trends and resources we must continue to read and study on a regular basis.

It is for this reason that I created a book of the month club. each month I will introduce a workplace learning or performance book to read and discuss. A new book will be introduced the fourth Wednesday of each month. During the third Wednesday of each month, I will write a review and hope you join me in sharing your thoughts and opinions on each book. I will also include in future readings books that are both motivational and inspirational.

The first book that I have chosen is the Trainer’s Handbook. trainers handbook2 It is a great book to start with since it serves as a comprehensive book on a variety of training topics which could benefit both new and seasoned workplace learning professionals. This book can be found on Amazon.com. Here is a description of the book on Amazon.com:

The Trainer’s Handbook walks readers step by step through the training process and contains tips on assessing the needs of participants. Keeping training learner-centered, incorporating activities into training, selecting audiovisual aids, and closing sessions creatively. As practical as it is instructive, the guide is filled with worksheets, checklists, and assessments.

I am ready to start reading, How about you?

 

How to Create Index Cards in Word 2007

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index picWhen planning and organizing trainings, index cards can be used in many ways. I have used index cards for ice breaker activities, case studies, self evaluations as well as organizing presentation ideas, creating storyboard ideas and researching various training topics. Microsoft Word 2007 allows you to type directly on an index card without having to use a pencil or pen.

  •  In Word 2007, open a blank word document.

page layout click

  • Click on page layout
  • Click page set it which well automatically set the page to letter 8.5×11′

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custom size

  • Scroll down to custom size
  • Click custom size
  • Change the width from the default 8.5 to 5″ and the default height from 11″ to 3″.
  • Once complete, click okay.

new index card

  • You can now begin typing onto your index card

adding an additional card

  • If you would like to make additional cards, continue to press enter for the number of cards you would like to make.
  • Don’t forget to save your index cards
  • You now have your own index card template typed and ready to go!!

Workplace Learning and Performance Improvement Articles

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Why Matching Informal and Formal Learning is in Style

6 ways to Build Atmosphere and Emotion in your e-learning theme

Achieving Worthy Performance in Healthcare Instructional Design

ASTD Reboots with New Name and Logo

Focus- The Forgotten Performance Skill 

Top 10 Signs that You Might be Doing Social Learning Wrong

5 Reasons you Need to be Using Games for Corporate Training

Instructional Design Models and Theories

A Quick No-Nonsense Guide to Basic Design Theory

4 Ways to Make Training More Fun for Repeat Learners

Do Old School Workplace Rules and Hierarchies Still Matter

How to Give Feedback on Assessments 

What Separates Great Trainers from the Merely “OK?”

Your Company Culture Could be Killing Performance

 

 

How to Print on Post It Notes

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Okay. I will admit it. I am a post it note junkie! I buy post it notes every time I walk into a store that sells them. No color, shape or size is safe from my clutches! Long gone are the days when post it notes were used for taking messages and writing down information.As a learning and development trainer, I use post it notes not only in my training as part of a learning activity, but also in organizing my own ideas in creating a lesson plan or a training event.

Through the magic of pinterest, I discovered ways to print on post it notes that I would like to share with you.

  • Using a 3×3 post it note on word 2007, I created a post it note template which you may download the post it note here. I decided to use the printed post it notes as part as a post evaluation activity.  The questions I printed on the post it notes are:
  1.  List five things you learned today.
  2. Describe ways to prevent conflict in the workplace.
  3. Explain how you will apply what you learned today in sensitivity training.
  4. Explain ways you will prevent abuse.
  5. Describe ways you will encourage choice making.
  6. Further questions I have.
  • Once I created the template, I did a save as and labeled it blank

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  • Using the same template, I did a save as and labeled it words. I then created words to print on the post it notes.

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Once completed, I placed post it notes on each of the templates,

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  • My first try the post it  notes crumpled through the printer.DSCF0751[1]
  • I also noticed the words on the post it notes were not aligned on the left side so  I taped the back of the post it notes to the paper and I then measured the distance  from template and tried again and viola!!
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If you are not as obsessed with post it notes as I am, you can use the printed template to make copies to cut out and use.

So, what do you think? I love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Training Ideas During Autism Awareness Month

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DSCF0700[1]  National Autism Awareness Month, recognized every April in the United States, brings awareness about autism through educating the public on issues that impact the autism community. National Autism Awareness Month is also an opportunity to conduct staff development training activities that will foster understanding and sensitivity towards people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. With four days left this month, it is not too late to create training activities for your staff. Below, I listed six suggestions on supporting autism awareness month.

  1. Guest Speaker. Invite a guest speaker such as a parent, professional or a  person with autism to come to your organization and speak to staff on issues regarding autism. There are a number of organizations you can contact which can refer you to local organizations and people.

Autism Speaks- A community page that links chapters from each state.

Autism Society- Contact Information

National Autism Association- Contact Information

Autism Key- A listing of Autism foundations and organizations.

2. Lunch and Learn. Have a lunch and learn with the administrative staff. Invite a professional educator, parent or physician to speak for an hour on topics including, Understanding Autism, and ways to support your staff working with people with autism.

3.  Games. Develop training activities including an autism word search or create puzzles, tests, or matching words that often use key words found in autism literature. Below, are links to autism glossary terms.

Autism Speaks

Autism Delaware

Making Friends With Autism

Easter Seals

4. Films- Show films, movies and documentaries that highlight people with autism. Showing movies and films offers the opportunity to hold discussions, increase sensitivity and bring awareness. Below are listing of suggested films and movies.

Dreaming in Autistic Colors

Season of Miracles

Autism Everyday

Autism is a World

Autism: The Musical

The Horse Boy

Normal People Scare

Refrigerator Mothers

Rain Man

Cries from the Heart

The Story of Luke

Temple Grandin

Mercury Rising

5.Sensitivity Training. Conduct trainings that show  many of the challenges faced by people with autism. including sensory, and fine motors skills.

6. Contest. Have a contest using beads represented the colors of the autism symbolic ribbon. Have employees guess the number of beads. Award a prize to the person who guesses correctly.DSCF0694[1]

Above all, have fun during Autism Awareness Month. This is a great opportunity to bring awareness and have fun at the same time

What is you organization doing to bring awareness to autism?