training techniques for mfi staff eu acp learning event – september 2008
TRANSCRIPT
TRAINING TECHNIQUES FOR MFI STAFFEU ACP LEARNING EVENT – September 2008
Objectives
Give trainers some techniques on how to best conduct their training sessions with MFI staff
These techniques have been put in place by EU ACP learning event participants who use them regularly
To remember when you train adults Confucius has rightfully said: If I hear I forget If I see I remember
If I do I understand
To remember when you train adultsMeaning… Keep your academic presentation as
short as possible Show concrete examples (case studies,
learnings from previous success AND failures)
Have participants redo (exercises, worskhops, on-the-job trainings)
Preparation of the training session Identify your target group Class attendance should not exceed 15-20
participants Groups should be homogenous
At least 2 trainers Avoid monotony and create interactivity 1 trainer should not speak longer than 30 mn
continuously Plan for experienced staff to animate some parts of
the training to bring their own experience Do not undersestimate logistics:
You need a room with space Make sure the technics work (e.g. projector,
microphone…) Have name tags, name boards ready
Ice breaking phase Get participants to learn more about each
other in a fun way Soccer ball with a specific question each
participant must answer; the ball is sent from one participant to another.
Have each participant present himself to his neighboor, and have this neighboor present the participant to the group
Ask participants to line up by height, age, etc. Position participants on a country map to see
where they come from
Key principles of in class training Keep it simple and theory to minimum Powerpoint should only be in bullet point
Highlight key ideas Too much content leads trainer to read vs.
interact Present case studies
Always illustrate with concrete examples Learn from mistakes: show previous errors,
which are usually more telling than successes Have senior staff present their experience
Have a positive animation
There are no silly questions/remarks
Put in practice and test understanding Break down participants in small group with one
specific exercice (directly related to content of training).
Have teams present the results of their exercices After breaks or on the next day, ask participants
what they have learned during the previous sessions: key ideas should emerge
Regularly test participants with regular questions on key concepts they must have learned by the end of the training At the end of the session, test the participants to make
sure that key points have been understood This can be compared to a test conducted BEFORE the
training
Manage time
Break down training session into short workshops
Plan for breaks Use music to remind people to come back in the
class Have incentives (or penalties) for participants
arriving on time (being late) Have a « Parking lot » for questions which can
be answered later (individually or in at the end of the training session). Parking lot should not become « Black holes »
NO PHONES / NO LAPTOP
Make sure everyone participates Remember the name of all participants Don’t forget the « shy » people Wake people up
Soccer ball or glass of water ?
How to wake people up ?
THE C.O.C.O.N.U.T DANCE
Make sure everyone participates Ask sleeping/late person to tell a funny
story Everybody enjoys appreciation
Have small presents/gifts (real or symbolic) to encourage participants to answer questions
Bet « fake money » to a participant on his capacity to answer a test question
Collect people’s impression at the end of each day
When training = team building Plan for team building exercices and
activities Have an event/lunch/dinner planned with all
participants OUTSIDE of the work environment
The BAR exercice: Teams of 6; 1 bar; get each team to lower
the bar to the ground with 2 simple rules: No speaking; fingers should never leave the bar. Have 2 participants make sure rules are respected.
When training = team building The Rope exercice
Teams of 10; 1 long rope; get participants in a circle around the rope; have them close their eyes; grab the rope; the team must make a square (or another geometric form) keeping their eyes closed.
Get more tips and techniques Consolidate all good ideas from within
your training staff at the institution level Ask participants to assess the training,
so as to improve content and animation for the next session Select and implement best suggestions
CGAP website: DIRECT
Thanks to team members:
Olivier Bailly-Bechet – Advans Cameroun
Gregoire Danel - Horus
Abdoulaye Diasse – Project Saint Louis/ADE finance
Patrick Gobin - Horus
Ross Nathan – Urwego
Martin Spahr – LFS
Camille Striffling - Horus
Faustin Zhinga - Urwego
Edited by Mike Rios and Lillian Diaz