TIPS FOR TRAINING ADULTS:
Because adults tend to be more critical than children and
are used to having more control of their environments than
children, it is particularly important to provide learning
environments that are comfortable both physically and psychologically.
Each adult has unique expectation of the course. Trainers
must allow students to clarify and articulate these expectations
before getting into the content. New knowledge and information
must be integrated with adultsprevious knowledge. This requires
active learner participation, a supportive atmosphere, and
freedom of expression. Adults take errors personally, and
are more likely than children to let them affect their self-esteem.
Therefore, they tend to use tried and true solutions and to
be unwilling to take risks. Trainers should design risks which
feel safe and calculated. Copyright A.E. Schwartz & Associates,
all rights reserved. For reprint permission and terms, contact:
reprints@aeschwartz.com.
ANY QUESTIONS? We use questions for four
basic reasons: to get feedback, to stimulate discussion, to
provoke thought, and to maintain interest. Mishandling questions
can destroy an effective talk. Always prepare for questions
by knowing both your topic and the audience, and anticipate
areas for potential questions. When answering questions be
concerned with the whole group. Never let one person dominate;
repeat or rephrase questions for the entire group. If you
do not know an answer, admit it, but do try to find the answer
or advise the person who asked the question where the answer
might be found. An excellent technique for involving the group
is encouraging others in the group to respond to questions.
HOW TO GET YOUR TRAINERS INTO THE ACT:
Although role playing is an excellent technique for affective
training, it is also the most difficult and potentially hazardous
to master. It is very close to psychodrama, a technique used
by therapists, and can lead to personal and professional damage
if it is mishandled. To prevent this the trainer should know
exactly what lesson is being demonstrated by the role play
and structure the scenario in such a way as to increase the
likelihood that the point will be made -- without damaging
the people involved.
Copyright © A.E. Schwartz & Associates, all rights
reserved. For reprint permission and terms, contact: reprints@aeschwartz.com.
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