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February 06 - Training Update
Avoiding resume sabotage, Jamie Oliver videos, Training venues, Podcasting, Using movies, Wikis, Training to criticise, Experts v Novices, Trip prevention , Difficult audiences, Surviving a bad manager, Projector VGA cable...
_____________________ 25 Words that can hurt your resume... A useful list to help you remove the hype if you're pitching for a training job or contract. The message: less hype and more real examples. [thanks Guy Kawaski] _____________________ Jamie Oliver resources from Video Arts I'm a big fan of Jamie Oliver - his passion, creativity and commitment to training. He's released several management titles through VideoArts - they look great although the price is fierce, even by the standard of training videos - £1099 for one DVD!! There's even an online Bakery Game to teach teamwork (maybe someone can explain it to me...) The site also has a ThinkTank with a range of free training resources, but it's quite frustrating trying to negotiate through the Flash interface. Pity. _____________________ The reality about most training venues Quick Quiz: All trainers are naturally well-organized and neat: True / False Read the blatant truth about trainers and training sites in this Langevin Training article. Some days I have spent more time on the hunt for elusive equipment and the shy, delicate, rarely-spotted creature known as a training coordinator than I have in training the course. Includes a good, long list of essentials for your training Tackle Box. _____________________ Podcasting, iTunes and training Apple are working with Stanford University on ways to podcast lectures and student content. Just click and iTunes opens with a heap of content options. Apple's info site is still mac-only but that's sure to change - listen to the interesting podcast on Apple Digital Campus (PC users see MediaBlab for a good how-to intro). Keep your eye on this... _____________________ Adding movies to your presentations There are many ways to do this. Whatever the format - Windows Media, Quicktime or Flash, it's time to add more movement and learn the technical skills... Wesley Fryer gives a good introduction and method outline for mac and pc users [free registration required - worth it]. _____________________ Using Wikis in learning and teaching Wikis - huh?? Start with What is a Wiki, and check into Using Wikis to Empower Student Learning. A way for students to contribute online to learning and instruction. It's modern - as if everyone has chalk and gathers around the blackboard (remember them?) but electronically. pbWiki is free if you want to experiment... _____________________ Training managers to criticise effectively Here's a useful management guide: 10-Ways to Criticise Effectively. Most managers would rather run a mile than take effective disciplinary action, so it's always a useful training session. Best format:
It's also good to ask for examples of 'effective criticism' that team members have seen or received - we often learn how to do the hard stuff by watching others. _____________________ How experts differ from novices A scoop - the whole book How People Learn is online. It's mainly focused on young students, but there are plenty of connections with adult learners. I'm just absorbing Chapter 2 How Experts differ from Novices - how experienced waiters 'read the room', or experienced chefs manage a deluge of orders. _____________________ Trip prevention for cables and laptop cords I had a near-miss recently from a 'snakes wedding' of cords at the front of a training room. Then I discovered Safcord! Velcro on the back and washable, different colours etc. Much easier than duct tape. Every room should have one! Search Google to find a local supplier. _____________________ Working with a difficult audience A great list of resources for difficult situations - when your group or audience is abusive, disruptive or just plain difficult. [Thanks Garr Reynolds] _____________________ How to survive a bad manager Examples of 'what not to do' are a good springboard for discussing 'what should be done', and help to clear out some of the righteousness and vague theorising. And human nature being what it is, negative examples come to mind much more quickly than positives. Scott Berkun's essay on How to Survive a Bad Manager has good analytical material for the discussion, and makes the essential point: 'Bad managers may themselves have bad managers'. _____________________ A decent cable for your laptop projector Digital projectors are standard equipment now, and you often come up against the limitations of the short cord provided with them - usually only 2m (6'). Buy your own - they're very cheap at an electronics store. Ask for a Double VGA Cord ie the same plug at both ends. Mine is 6m (20') and gives terrific flexibility when the lectern is distant from the projector, which is usually the case when presenting in a large room. It cost about $Aus 15.
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