Be
Human - Be Interactive
Keys
to Interactive Learning
By Jeffrey Hansler, CSP
So you want to gain insights into interactive learning? If
you're reading this article, I'll bet you are already very
successful at it. Quick, pick up your pen, on a scale of
zero to four, four being the best, write down your score
on how good an interactive trainer you are. Then read on...
I
work to build interaction in every educational session
because it's critical to learning - especially adult learning.
I have learned much of what I know from the masters. Watch
Bob Pike, Joel Weldon, or Sivasailam Thiagarajan (Thiagi)
do a program, and know the results come from their audiences
living their programs. These masters capitalize on the
natural human behavior to express oneself. They give
attendees permission
to live the learning experience.
One
way people learn is by passively observing, listening
and watching. A training film (or TV) is a great deliverer
of such programs. People want more. They want involvement.
Now they have CBT and Web TV where they get to interact,
cause change and see the results. Yet people want even
more. To see how important human interaction is, watch
'the wave'
at a sporting event, visit a sports bar, or drop in on
an Internet chat room, where people demonstrate their
need to
turn a passive experience into an interactive experience. If
your programs offer human interaction opportunities, you
will never be replaced by technology (not that you were worried
about that anyway!).
Basic
interaction, like filling in blanks or testing, fall
short of people's expectations, but combine these
activities
with attendees talking to each other and you create
a successful working environment. By giving them permission
to discuss
a workbook page, you create a foundation of enhanced
learning because you create an opportunity for social
interaction.
Building
exercises into your program is the first critical element
to a successful interaction. Bob Pike is a master
at creating interactive exercises that give people
permission to do what people do naturally - socially
interact. Observing
an audience react to Bob's programs is to see the
importance of interactive exercises.
Thiagi
demonstrates the importance of discussion, sometimes
to the point of letting it guide the program.
Quick
exercises, followed by attendee lead discussion,
and a debriefing
that incorporates the live discussion are the mark
of this master.
Observing Thiagi orchestrate a room of attendees
is to see an educational symphony being conducted.
Joel
Weldon is a master of pacing - he exemplifies the importance
of energy and the natural humor
in interactions. He says,
'I talk twice as fast as most educators, but
if you only
get half the information, you're still ahead
of the game.' His pacing is magical because he reacts
to
the audience.
He gives them time, through discussions, stretch
breaks, and wonderful activities, to catch their
breath and
keep the involvement high. Observing him guide
a training session of 800 people giving one-armed
backrubs
as
they
laugh themselves
into learning, you'll know how he pushes the
interactive
envelope.
Reacting
to the moods of the audience is the second critical element
of interactive learning.
Making
eye contact with
an individual, changing the pace to meet the
needs of the group, on that day, at that time,
at that
moment. If structuring
interactive sessions was the only critical
element, you
would need to worry about CBT replacing you.
Structuring interaction
is only the beginning. Your programs become
truly interactive, when you connect with your attendees.
It is when you
react to energy changes, change your pace,
move
to an unscheduled
exercise, cut an exercise, shift a segment
to role play, turn a question over to group discussion
and feed the
fire of emotion, that you are truly interactive.
The
third critical element of interactive learning is your
willingness to experiment with a new
interactive idea.
Trying something new means developing a willingness
to
fail - the
most human element of all. CBT will never
create a new experience, never deliver something new.
It simply
delivers
a tested
program again and again. Be human, be interactive,
be responsive, and be willing to fail, and
you'll always be needed.
So
how did you do? Give yourself one point each if you:
Build exercises into your programs.
Give
permission
to
discuss
React to audience energy. Are willing to
experiment. I'll bet you scored a four
(if you did, but
initially gave yourself
a three, it just means your a four with
a Type-A personality).
#
# # # #
Jeffrey
Hansler is a professional speaker, author, and consultant.
He is a frequent speaker at association events and is the
author of Sell Little Red Hen! Sell! He can be reached at jhansler@oxfordco.com.
Click
here for a .pdf version of this page
Click
here to access our article request form to secure
permission to use or reprint this article
©
2004 Jeffrey Hansler All rights reserved
|
