Creative Training Techniques - The Bob Pike Group

Learning isn’t easy. At least, learning that you retain isn’t easy. Bob Pike Group trainer Priscilla Shumway says if you make learning effortful, people will remember it better. That doesn’t mean practicing something over and over to burn it into your memory. Instead, she has some suggestions on how to weave several subjects together and space out learning over time. Sign up to hear Priscilla and...

Making something a game can motivate people… but only if you tap into a learner’s internal drive. So how do you do that? Bob Pike Group trainer Scott Enebow has tips on what makes a good learning game. Sign up to hear Scott and other Bob Pike Group trainers at the fall conference: www.bobpikegroup.com/success Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-trai...

We know that people learn and retain information better when they’re having fun. So why is it so hard to make technical training fun and enjoyable? Bob Pike Group trainer Scott Enebow covers three common mistakes people make in technical training… and gives you three tips on what to do instead. Sign up to hear Scott and other Bob Pike Group trainers at the fall conference: www.bobpikegroup.com/suc...

Many trainers today are being asked to be coaches. Bob Pike Group trainer Rich Meiss has seven tips on how to offer feedback as a coach. Sign up to hear Rich and others Bob Pike Group trainers at the fall conference: www.bobpikegroup.com/success Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  htt...

Let’s face it, not everyone wants to be in a training session. But the boss has made it “mandatory” and so some of your students feel like “prisoners” in your classroom and may misbehave. Bob Pike Group trainer Rich Meiss has seven tips to help you deal with bad behavior without being the bad guy. Sign up to hear Rich and others Bob Pike Group trainers at the fall conference: www.bobpikegroup.com/...

The voice you have now is not your fate. It’s not fixed and permanent. Bob Pike Group trainer Rich Meiss has some great tips and exercises to improve your voice and unlock its full potential. Sign up to hear Rich and others Bob Pike Group trainers at the fall conference: www.bobpikegroup.com/success Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trai...

Content is important — but if you don’t have your room set up correctly, people won’t retain what you’re teaching them. That’s one of the important lessons Senior Trainer Consultant Doug McCallum has learned in his 30 years of working for the Bob Pike Group. Doug says research shows classroom design that encourages interaction improves retention. Sign up to hear Doug and others Bob Pike Group trai...

Doug McCallum is passionate about using scented markers in his training sessions. The orange ones smell like Tang! But the smell of the markers has little to do with why he uses them. Doug is the “old dog” at the Bob Pike Group, and this week he shares some of the tips he’s learned in his 30 years of helping people learn and retain information better. Sign up to hear Doug and others Bob Pike Group...

Doug McCallum is passionate about using scented markers in his training sessions. The orange ones smell like Tang! But the smell of the markers has little to do with why he uses them. Doug is the “old dog” at the Bob Pike Group, and this week he shares some of the tips he’s learned in his 30 years of helping people learn and retain information better. Sign up to hear Doug and others Bob Pike Group...

People learn better when you get them engaged using an activity, but how do you choose the right one? Becky has a few guidelines as well as some activity suggestions you may not have thought of before. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-tr...

Introverts and reflective learners gather and process information differently than extroverts. So how do you make sure you engage them as well as the rest of your audience? Becky has some quick tips on how to include everyone. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.c...

Should you be urgent or entertaining in the classroom? Becky says it depends on the message you’re trying to deliver. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-training-techniques/id862555469?mt=2 And on the web here: http://www.bobpikegroup.com/...

Becky is the first to admit that assessments aren’t sexy, but they’re important. They improve your teaching and they help your learners. She covers both summative and formative assessments, explains the differences and helps you pick the best time to use them. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iT...

Becky has some great tips on how to use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media during and after your presentation. Your learners will be more engaged, connected and have a little bit more fun! Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creativ...

Becky says three’s no such thing as dry material, only dry boring presentations. So to make the content more interesting and engage your learner, consider taking a field trip. Becky says you don’t need a bus, just your feet or a web browser. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https:/...

Becky has a question for you about prices at the Olympics. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have the correct answer; the fact that you’re thinking about it means you’re going to understand more of what she’s going to tell you about presenting. She has six tips that will help get your learners’ minds involved and curious. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative...

Stories are one of the most memorable ways to communicate and teach. But not all stories are created equal. Becky has eight tips to make your story more memorable. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-training-techniques/id862555469?mt=2 And...

Can you rattle off the names of everyone you had in your last class like you’ve known them for your entire life? Probably not. Becky will be the first to admit she doesn’t have the talent for remembering names like her dad Bob Pike can. But she says there are ways to make up for not having that natural talent. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-tra...

Becky travels a lot — but where ever she goes, she always packs a few essential items that all trainers should have at their fingertips. Do you have all of these items? Are there additional items you can’t do without that you think everyone should have? Send your favorites to Becky through our Facebook page. Link to Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheBobPikeGroup/ Purchase Becky's new book...

Becky says the Bob Pike Group has a rule: lecture if you must, but never more than ten minutes…and not more than four if you’re online. Any longer and learners won’t be engaged with what you’re teaching. Becky has some great tips on you can re-tool your lecture into some short and snappy segments. Links mentioned in the podcast: Turning Point Technology www.turningtechnologies.com www.c3softworks....

At some point, you’ll probably want your learners to split into groups to discuss the material or complete an exercise. Don’t just ask them to number off. Becky says that’s BORING. Do something fun instead to get the excitement and creative juices flowing. She has a great list of easy ideas you can try. Related podcast: How To Put Participation In The Cards - Three New Games http://bobpikegroup.co...

At the end of any learning activity, you need a debrief to ensure that your learner comprehends and remembers what you just taught. Becky says the key to a successful debrief can be how you start your whole presentation. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/...

What turns a good presentation into a great one? Planning, preparation and polish! Becky has a five-step plan to make your next presentation memorable. Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegroup.com/bk-creative-training-a-train-the-trainer-field-guide/ Podcast available on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-training-techniques/id862555469?mt=2 And on the web...

Ask any performer and they’ll tell you they do better when the crowd has been “warmed up” with an opening act. Becky says you can warm up your crowd with a game or a puzzle. She has five easy ideas you can try. Link to: Warming Up The Crowd: 57 Pre-Session Activities https://www.amazon.com/Warming-Up-Crowd-Pre-Session-Activities/dp/0787951412 Purchase Becky's new book here: http://store.bobpikegro...

Becky says the natural chemicals in brains can be harnessed to create superhighways of learning. You don't need a pill to access those chemicals, you just need to create the right kind of stimulus in your classroom. One important stimulus is stress which can be your ally or your enemy in learning. Becky helps you figure out how to get stress on your side. Links: Podcast on sleeping https://itunes....