Here's a fun but poignant activity to introduce the need for clear communication whether it's via eMail, document or spoken words.

With everything we now know from the world of neuroscience on how the brain learns, why do we still have webinars that are a one way dialog from facilitator to learner?

Of course, the better webinars go a step further in the right direction by including interaction.  But for webinars to become a truly learner centred, learning experience, we need make another step forward and design for collaboration.

During a workshop, it's important to always start on-time including after lunch.  We need something that re-connects learners together, re-connects learners to content and that brings them mentally as well as physically back into their workshop.

So, how to do that:

Here's a great idea to introduce content relating to different perceptions and viewpoints.  You could use this in relation to:

• Management training - Manager's viewpoint, report's viewpoint
• Customer service - Differing perceptions of organisation vs customer
• Mediation - Differing viewpoints from different parties

and the need for both sides to see the different pictures

A - Active - Keep learners active throughout the workshop.  Being active might include practice, working in teams/pairs, problem solving, redesigning etc  In other words, step back and make way for learning.

B - Benefits - Learners need to see the WIIFM before they decide to actively participate in the coming content.  If they cannot see how the content will directly benefit them eg increased sales, hitting targets, staying safe etc they will simply switch off.  So make sure you benefit sell all content from your learner's perspective.