Active Training: A Handbook of Techniques, Designs, Case Examples, and Tips, 4th Edition

Book description

The all-time bestselling training handbook, updated for new technologies and roles

Active Training turns instructional design on its head by shifting the emphasis away from the instructor, and on to the learner. Comprehensively updated to reflect the many developments in the field, this new fourth edition covers the latest technologies and applications, the evolving role of the trainer, and how new business realities impact training, advancing new evidence-based best practices for new trainer tasks, skills, and knowledge. Up to date theory and research inform the practical tips and techniques that fully engage learners and help them get the most out of sessions, while updated workplace examples and revised templates and worksheets help bring these techniques into the classroom quickly. You'll gain insight into improving training evaluation by using Return on Expectations (ROE), learn how to extend the value of training programs through transfer of learning, and develop fresh, engaging methods that incorporate state-of-the-art applications.

Active Training designs offer just the right amount of content; the right balance of affective, behavioral, and cognitive learning; a variety of approaches; real-life problem solving; gradual skill-building; and engaging delivery that uses the participants' expertise as a foundation for learning. This book is the classic guide to employing Active Training methods effectively and appropriately for almost any topic.

  • Learn how the trainer's role has changed

  • Engage learners through any training delivery method

  • Inspire collaboration and innovation through application

  • Overcome the challenges trainers face in the new business environment

  • Active Training methods make training sessions fun, engaging, relevant, and most importantly, effective. Participants become enthusiastic about the material, and view sessions as interesting challenges rather than as means to fulfill requirements. To bring these widely endorsed methods into your training repertoire, Active Training is the complete practical handbook you need.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover Page
    2. Title Page
    3. Copyright
    4. Contents
    5. Acknowledgments
    6. Preface
      1. THE GOALS OF THIS BOOK
      2. HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED
    7. Part One: Introducing Active Training
      1. THE NATURE OF ADULT LEARNING
      2. THE SOCIAL SIDE OF LEARNING
      3. CONCERNS ABOUT ACTIVE TRAINING
      4. THE DELIVERY OF ACTIVE TRAINING
    8. Part Two: Designing an Active Training Program
      1. STEPS FOR DESIGNING ACTIVE TRAINING
      2. WHAT'S IN THE PART TWO CHAPTERS?
      3. Chapter One: Assessing Training Needs
        1. WHY DO ASSESSMENT?
        2. WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE COLLECTED?
        3. HOW CAN INFORMATION BE COLLECTED?
        4. WHAT IF THERE IS NO TIME TO DO A PROPER ASSESSMENT?
      4. Chapter Two: Developing Active Training Objectives
        1. SETTING LEARNING GOALS
        2. SELECTING OBJECTIVES
        3. SPECIFYING OBJECTIVES
        4. EXPRESSING OBJECTIVES
        5. COMMUNICATING TRAINING OBJECTIVES TO OTHERS
      5. Chapter Three: Creating Opening Exercises
        1. WHAT OPENING EXERCISES ACCOMPLISH
        2. WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN CREATING OPENING EXERCISES
        3. TEN WAYS TO OPEN AN ACTIVE ONLINE VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
        4. TEN WAYS TO OBTAIN PARTICIPATION
      6. Chapter Four: Preparing Brain-Friendly Presentations
        1. FIVE WAYS TO GAIN YOUR AUDIENCE'S INTEREST
        2. FIVE WAYS TO MAXIMIZE UNDERSTANDING AND RETENTION
        3. FIVE WAYS TO INVOLVE PARTICIPANTS DURING A PRESENTATION
        4. FIVE WAYS TO REINFORCE PRESENTATIONS
        5. AN EXAMPLE OF A WELLDESIGNED PRESENTATION
      7. Chapter Five: Finding Alternative Methods to Presenting
        1. DEMONSTRATION
        2. CASE STUDY
        3. GUIDED TEACHING
        4. GROUP INQUIRY
        5. INFORMATION SEARCH
        6. STUDY GROUP
        7. JIGSAW LEARNING
        8. LEARNING TOURNAMENT
        9. APPLYING THE ALTER-NATIVES TO A COMMON TOPIC
      8. Chapter Six: Using Experiential Learning Approaches
        1. ROLE PLAYING
        2. GAMES AND SIMULATIONS
        3. OBSERVATION
        4. MENTAL IMAGERY
        5. WRITING TASKS
        6. ACTION LEARNING
      9. Chapter Seven: Designing Active Training Activities
        1. THE THREE MAJOR INGREDIENTS OF ANY DESIGN
        2. BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY DESIGN
        3. THE REMAINING DETAILS
        4. THREE TIPS FOR CREATIVE DESIGNS
      10. Chapter Eight: Sequencing Active Training Activities
        1. BASIC SEQUENCING GUIDELINES
        2. APPLYING SEQUENCING GUIDELINES
        3. THE FINER SIDE OF SEQUENCING
        4. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SEQUENCES
      11. Chapter Nine: Planning Active Training Programs
        1. THE MACRODESIGN OF AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
      12. Chapter Ten: Incorporating Active Learning in All Training
        1. ASYNCHRONOUS E-LEARNING
        2. GROUP-BASED E-LEARNING
        3. VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
        4. BLENDED LEARNING
        5. SOCIAL MEDIA EXPANDS ACTIVE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
        6. M-LEARNING OFFERS INSTANT OPTIONS
    9. Part Three: Conducting an Active Training Program
      1. Chapter Eleven: Beginning an Active Training Program
        1. PREPARING YOURSELF MENTALLY
        2. ARRANGING THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
        3. GREETING PARTICIPANTS AND ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
        4. GETTING THE BEST FROM THE FIRST THIRTY MINUTES OF TRAINING
        5. REVIEWING THE AGENDA
        6. INVITING FEEDBACK TO THE AGENDA
      2. Chapter Twelve: Gaining Leadership of the Group
        1. SETTING GROUP NORMS
        2. CONTROLLING TIMING AND PACING
        3. INCREASING RECEPTIVITY TO YOUR LEADERSHIP
        4. HANDLING PROBLEM SITUATIONS
      3. Chapter Thirteen: Giving Presentations and Leading Discussions
        1. KNOWING YOUR GROUP
        2. ORGANIZING YOUR PRESENTATION
        3. WATCHING YOUR BODY LANGUAGE
        4. ADDING VISUALS
        5. MAKING SMOOTH TRANSITIONS
        6. FACILITATING A LIVELY DISCUSSION
      4. Chapter Fourteen: Facilitating Structured Activities and Promoting Team Learning
        1. STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES
        2. TEAM LEARNING
      5. Chapter Fifteen: Concluding an Active Training Program
        1. REVIEWING PROGRAM CONTENT
        2. OBTAINING FINAL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
        3. PROMOTING SELF-ASSESSMENT
        4. FOCUSING ON BACKON-THE-JOB APPLICATION
        5. EXPRESSING FINAL SENTIMENTS
    10. Part Four: Extending the Value of an Active Training Program
      1. Chapter Sixteen: Providing for Back-on-the-Job Application
        1. PRIOR TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM
        2. DURING THE TRAINING PROGRAM
        3. AT THE END OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
        4. OBSTACLE ASSESSMENT
        5. PEER CONSULTATION
        6. SELF-MONITORING
        7. FOLLOW-UP COACHING AND SUPPORT
      2. Chapter Seventeen: Evaluating an Active Training Program
        1. EXPANDING THE FOUR EVALUATION LEVELS
        2. DESIGNING EVALUATIONS
        3. OBTAIN FEEDBACK ALONG THE WAY
    11. Part Five: The Evolving Role of Trainers
      1. Chapter Eighteen: Expanded Roles for Trainers
        1. ONBOARDING
        2. LEADING CHANGE
        3. COACHING MANAGERS
        4. MENTORING PROGRAMS
        5. INTERNAL CONSULTING
        6. BUILDING TEAMS
      2. Chapter Nineteen: New Business Realities for Trainers
        1. DOING MORE WITH LESS
        2. GLOBALIZATION
        3. WORKING WITH MULTI-GENERATIONAL WORKFORCES
        4. WORKING WITH THE C-SUITE
        5. VENDOR MANAGEMENT
        6. WORKING WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
        7. WE'VE REACHED THE END—OR IS IT THE BEGINNING?
    12. References
    13. About the Authors
    14. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Active Training: A Handbook of Techniques, Designs, Case Examples, and Tips, 4th Edition
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: May 2015
    • Publisher(s): Wiley
    • ISBN: 9781118972014