Train the Trainer Training Materials and Accelerated Learning

Setting up an ideal training environment and process is critical to enhance the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. An organisation needs to invest in its staff to prepare them to face the challenges of future and market demands. This requires soft skills and technical training which comes at a cost. Imagine after all the consultation, setting up training programs and delivery, the organisation discovers that not much knowledge was transferred to their staff and they had gone back to their old habits. This would be a great waste of time and resources.

Because of this, it is important to focus on how to improve training delivery and maximise the transfer of knowledge for a given time. Fortunately, many new techniques have been studied and researched which have significantly improve the quality of training design and delivery and if followed can have a marked improvement. These techniques are collectively known as accelerated learning. Here are a number of common guidelines recommended within this area:

• Build self-esteem in the leaner so that he or she wants to learn
• Provide a suitable environment. Include lots of drawing surfaces and drawing materials. Use colour, props and creative content in the environment to increase inspiration.
• Increase physical interaction. This helps memorisation of events as learner can better recall what was discussed in the course and are more likely to use the content back at work.
• Encourage delegates to move. This helps them to become more creative. A static body leads to a static mind.
• Use training in line with VAK sensory (Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic) to increase learning by appealing to all senses.
• Use mind mapping to help categorisation of content and help learners to remember the content well.
• Use music to enrich the training environment, let learners relax become more energetic.
• Be aware of the different forms of intelligence as you plan the course. People have strengths in different areas. Spot areas they need to work on more and deliver a tailored training.
• Focus on emotional intelligence to increase the efficiency of interaction among learners.
• Use a motivation system to encourage learning. For example, you can use RAP which stands for Recognition, Affirmation and Praise.
• Use relaxation technique to make your learners feel comfortable in the environment.
• Explore the field of metacognitive learning. If learners understand how learning works, they can learn better.
• Set SMART goals for the learner and teach them the importance of setting appropriate goals. SMART goals are Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely
• Sustained concentration is usually quite short. A simple formula is to use age plus 1 in minutes. For example, a 5 year old has 6 minutes before getting distracted while a 10 year old has 11 minutes. Adults may last longer, but they still have a finite amount of time before they lose concentrate. The training course must have frequent “brain breaks” to allow the brain to regain concentration. This simple rule alone can significantly increase the effectiveness of your training.

These guidelines can notably help training courses to become more effective and hence useful. To accelerate the process of course design and to teach trainers in these concepts, organisations can use train the trainer training materials to prepare their staff to become better at transferring knowledge to others. The training materials use accelerated learning principles discussed here and teach these to trainers who want to become better at training delivery. The soft skills course itself relies on accelerated learning, so learners can easily see how the principles work in practice.