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What Others Are Saying
The First Steps’ facilitator training was one of the most profound professional educational experiences of my life. Rob created a true learning community amongst the participants – we learned the concepts, we developed teamwork, and I reconnected with myself. I learned how to effectively guide group discussions towards real learning. Rob is a consummate Master Trainer, able to simplify the complex and make it accessible. That being said, this was not a beginner’s training, but one that stretched me. I give Rob and First Steps my highest recommendation.
Justina Rudez, Entrepreneur
In the Same Circle
Overview
An easy, low-prop ice-breaker that gets you important information about what you audience knows and sets you up to better conduct your training. I learned this one earlier today at a meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of ASTD. Thanks to Bette Breland for sharing!
PROPS: one piece of blank paper and pen or pencil per person.
TIME FRAME: 5-10 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- At the beginning of a course or workshop, ask for each person in the room to find a partner. Between them, they are to "jot down" all of the main points which they know about the subject at hand. (NOTE: this shouldn't be exhaustive, or they are in the wrong class to begin with!) This should only take about one minute.
- Have each pair "pair up" with another pair. Have them share the main points with all members of their group. This should take about three minutes. Ask each group of four to appoint a spokesperson.
- Call on each group and ask the spokesperson to share his/her notes of what her group knows about the subject. Jot these on a flipchart for all to see.
What's the big deal you ask? By investing ten minutes of your class time, you have moved your participants past the initial awkwardness usually associated with the beginning of a workshop and have begun to build rapport between them. Also, you now know "who is in the room," a sense of their expertise, and at what level you need to begin your conceptual explanations. This helps you avoid, for example, explaining basic concepts which most of your participants already know.
Train-the-Trainer
- Learn how to facilitate activities in ways that promote real learning and long-term behavior change
- Enhance your facilitation skills - learn from leading practitioners
- Experience the activities yourself!
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