Long before I started the Training Designer's Club, I recorded this. It's just a narrated presentation, originally aimed at internal would-be-trainers. It assumed face-to-face workshops and I KNOW that there are lot more mistakes than this, but as I say, these are just 10. and if you want to overcome the challenges of VIRTUAL design,...
No matter how good you are at it, training design takes time. And sometimes, it's time that you simply don't have. But it can be really hard to let go and trust someone else to interpret your ideas and needs correctly, so we rarely outsource design. Which is perhaps why so many people take short-cuts,...
When Designing Training, it's important to identify how complete delegates' knowledge needs to be. Do they need an awareness? A basic understanding? Be able to practically apply or be an expert? The level of knowledge required will (of course) affect our design, but in particular it will help shape our objectives, outcomes AND inform the...
In August I ran a poll of training professionals to find out which part of L&D was their favourite. I'm sure it will come as no surprise to find that delivery/facilitation came out top. Only 18% of those surveyed enjoyed design the most. reflecting on conversations I've had over the years and with VIP members...
It's very common to ask SMEs to run training sessions for people on a whole range of specialist topics. But SHOULD we? Yes and No. In my opinion, it’s good to use SMEs for expert sessions, when delegates are already knowledgeable or experienced AND when they are interested in the subject. But otherwise, probably not....
The short answer is YES - I made a living doing that for many years, BUT many L&D professionals believe that no-one else can do their workshop/programme justice. It means that they end up trapped. Trapped in a delivery role limiting promotion (if they are employed) or business growth if they are freelance. It's in...
Like many people, I grow a few vegetables. I'm very much a dabbler, so I have mixed success (though the cucumbers are doing PARTICULARLY well this year). Last night I realised we hade no veg for tea, so I had to decode whether to go to the shop, or start eating what we'd grown. This...
As you know, I’m a great believer in doing proper training design before running an event. There are many reasons for this – even when designing for yourself - which I’ve mentioned before (Here’s a quick recap). But even the very best design doesn’t guarantee things will run perfectly, OR that you’ll run an event...
This white paper by Samuel Malone described the ADDIE model of training design in detail and explain how it can be used as a foundation for a learning strategy/content review. It focuses on formal, prescribed learning but it it still a useful document to make sure that good design practice is being folowed. DOWNLOAD THE...
I’ve spoken before about by Pump-Action Dandelion Destroyer. (Proper name the Fiskars Xact Weed Puller). It brings me so much joy – and that’s because it is such a joy to use! Any why is it such a joy? Because it’s perfectly designed for the job it’s meant to do. It’s designed to pull out...
