Dynamic Opening and Activation -- 101 Tips to Energize Your Classroom

Author: Bob Pike, Sarah Anderson (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Creatively Starting the Course
Bruce Handler, a senior training specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, occasionally uses this method to begin his training programs. He sits among the audience in silence. When the class starts, he loudly asks, "Why am I sitting here?" Because most people haven't realized yet that he is the trainer, and thus, the entire team's attention is drawn to him.
Handler says the key to training is, "I always creatively start the course. You (as a trainer) need to be a bit smarter, review the methods you've used before, and strive to do better. We all need to be open to improvement. If you stick with this, you'll see positive results."
P3
Descriptive Name Card Seats, Displaying Participants' Personal Images
Linda Kavois, a training specialist at Rockwell International, invented a method to motivate participants to acquire knowledge while also giving her clues to train more effectively. She prepared several stacks of 7 cm × 17 cm paper, each with only one word written on it, such as "creative," "aggressive," "practical," "analytical," "dull," or "friendly." Each stack had enough paper so that if all participants wanted to choose the same word, it wouldn't be a problem.
At the beginning of the course, participants choose five words to describe themselves and pin these slips to their name card seats. Then they must tell other participants why they chose these words and why they are displaying this image. This icebreaker also provides trainers with detailed clues to conduct training more effectively.
P5
Pre-Course Participant Welcome Letter, Strengthening Team Cooperation
Karen Lynch, the sales training manager at Eveready Battery Company, sends a letter to participants before the course, informing them how to get to the training center and the course start time, making the participants feel welcomed.
Attached with the letter is a name tag and half a playing card. The letter will tell participants that the next morning, they need to introduce the person holding the other half of the playing card to the entire group. This encourages participants to try to find the person holding the matching half of their card that evening. Similarly, it also encourages them to arrive early on the course day to meet the person they are supposed to introduce.