An
off site training in a natural setting may be appropriate for an adult
learning experience that is informal and requires lots of interaction between
participants. An off site training space may minimize interruptions to
the learning and provides for thinking, planning or reflection by the participants.
A
more formal off site training location may be appropriate for more structured
training which requires adults to be uninterrupted by job tasks or phone
calls. The hotel or leased meeting room can usually be set to the designer's
specifications so that it assures a positive learning context. The disadvantage
may be the higher cost for this kind of space.
Training
sessions at the job site have the advantage of being economical as well
as eliminating the need for travel by the adult learners. When access to
classrooms, students, curriculum or instructional materials is a part of
the design, the school site may be the best choice for a location. The
work site always has the down side of allowing interruptions to the learning,
and participants may have difficulty separating themselves mentally from
the daily tasks of their jobs.
Think about the
setting that will be conducive to accomplishing the specific objectives
for your design project.
Do any of the suggested set up arrangements have benefits for your adult
learners?
In Module 3 you learned about trainer notes. In preparing the trainer
notes, you will want to outline all audio visual equipment needed for a
successful learning experience as well as the materials and resources that
will be required. Consider which of the following may be needed to carry
out the design:
Overhead Projector and Screen
Video Projector or LCD panel
VCR and Monitor
Chart Pads, Markers, Tape
Electrical Outlets and Cords
Chalk or White board
Podium and stationary microphone(s)
Sound System with portable microphone(s)
Other?
Packaging the Adult Learning Activity
Organizing and packaging the learning materials for the
adult learners is part of the designer's role. The designer may
have created participant materials including hard copy of specific objectives
and agenda, handouts related to content or activities, reference materials,
a bibliography or reading list.
Tips to consider when determining what to include in the package include:
Consider your audience and the kinds of materials that will appeal
to participants' learning styles.
Decide what materials will be included and used as learning tools during
the classroom training or as part of a blended approach.
Determine what reference materials may be useful to the learners after
the training ends for further learning.
A list of packaging
points (pdf) is provided for the designer
to review. Each design product may not contain all of these possible options.
Skim the list to consider which may need to be part of the package for
your final design product.
Browse
through at least three available training notebooks or commercially produced
training products and find some ideas for packaging that might work for
your design project. You may find these kinds of training materials available
in your department or professional library. The Broward County Schools
HRD Department's Myron Ashmore Media Center will also provide you with
sample training materials to preview.
Be prepared to report on some examples you found at the second study group
meeting. Create a list of packaging points found in the materials you reviewed
that you would like to include in your own design product and explain your
rationale.
For blended adult learning products, you may need to locate special
packaging materials that can be used. Examples might include: participant
manuals with space for videotapes, or packaging for CD-ROMs such as jewel
cases.
Wrap Up
on completing the web-based portion of this course. At the second study
group session you will discuss your assignments and turn in your completed
design product for review by your colleagues and your learning facilitator.