(Doris Loretta, March 25, 2009)

Even though a lot of training is moving out of the classroom, I believe that classroom instruction/training sessions will still be around in some form for a long time. Here are some suggestions for new trainers.

As a corporate software instructor I have spent many hours in the classroom/computer lab conducting classes on all types of software and technical procedures. I have facilitated hands-on seminars from the very basic beginning Windows classes to Advanced VBA for Excel and Access, as well as numerous corporate proprietary programs. I have picked up a few tips along the way that might help anyone just starting out. Even though my suggestions are coming from a technical training point of view, a lot of them can apply to soft-skill training as well.

Prior to the Session

• Practice, Practice, Practice – Know the material you are teaching. For software, I have always tried to know that level of mastery AND at least the next level before running a session.
• There will always be the dreaded first session. Yes, you will be nervous but less so if you know your material. It usually takes three times of running a session to be truly comfortable with it.
• Get there early and make all preparations prior to the arrival of the participants.
• Greet the participants and introduce yourself as the participants arrive.
• Find out why they are there. For small classes, you can do individual introductions with a why you came/what you want from the session statement. For larger classes you may want to create an activity such as listing on flip-chart their reasons for coming/what they want from the session. Once you have found out, use the data. Try to answer as many participant concerns as possible. Sometimes the questions are not in the “scope” of your session but you can at least point them in the right direction for additional information.
• Housekeeping Issues-ALWAYS address the creature comforts, bathrooms, breaks, what’s going to happen.
• Establish some class rules. I start this small but important segment with MY 3 rules: Ask Dumb Questions, Make Stupid Mistakes and Cheat (use all resources available). This adds a little levity to the situation. Afterwards, I ask for any others about which the class feels strongly. You will usually get the ones you want this way without having to dictate it to the class (cell phone etiquette, tardiness, finish on time, etc.)

During the session

• Don’t talk to the board. Finish writing THEN turn around and talk to the participants making eye contact. Reading faces is absolutely necessary to help check for comprehension. Practice looking at one person for a minimum of 3 seconds (or the time it takes to finish a thought) before making eye contact with the next person somewhere else in the room.
• Don’t read the slides to them. In PowerPoint type presentations the slide should not show everything you are going to say. Use a graphic, then YOU supply the information or leave out keywords, etc. The master of this skill is Bob Pike. Check out his site for presentation and training techniques. The Bob Pike Group
• Don’t stand in front of the screen. You would be surprised how many people actually DO this. It’s a shame it actually has to be mentioned.
• Be carful of mouse movement. Jerky or big massive sweeps of the mouse pointer do nothing but make people seasick. Use your mouse to point and stay in place long enough for people to focus on the screen. If necessary use a manual or laser pointer to point to where your mouse is. (It’s ok, you can take your hand off the mouse and move from the podium.)
  For showing software steps such as drop menus or lists, give the instruction, pause for them to look at what you are doing and to see the menu/list opened, then continue with the next step. Then, REPEAT what you just did. You may need to repeat it twice.
• Stop and ask for questions and/or question them for comprehension. Review what you’ve done often during the session. If you told them a keystroke at the beginning of the class, use that keystroke often during the session. Each time you use it ask THEM how to do it. E.g. “How do I return to cell A1?”
• Be accessible. Move around the room, check computer screens. You have prepared…You know your material so do not lock yourself to the podium.
• Don’t be afraid of saying “I don’t know”. BUT always attempt to find the answer. In many of my classes we have played “stump the trainer” at the end. There are times I’ve had to say, “I don’t know, let’s try something.” or “I really don’t know that one. Let me research it and I’ll email the class with what I find.” Be prepared, however, to follow up. Don’t say it unless you will actually do it.

Lunch and Breaks

• Stay late and be early. People will have questions and/or concerns that they don’t want to say in front of the entire class. You need to be accessible during these times for them to reach out to you. I have also used these times to check in with participants who are struggling with the content. Sometimes, all they need is a little reassurance and at other times you may need to suggest that they need to be in a different class either higher or lower.

After the session

• Make a fast sweep of the class as you make your way to the door to make sure items aren’t being left behind.
• Position yourself by the exit and thank them for coming.
• Be accessible for last minute questions and concerns. (You may have to say, “Can I answer that after everyone has left?” so that you are really accessible to all.) 
• Send them on their way with well wishes and some contact information for follow-up if necessary.

Happy Training!

Doris Loretta is co-owner of Paris Mountain Associates, Inc. in Greenville, SC.  She is a certified Microsoft Office Master Instructor and has been in the training/education profession for over 20 years. She is the author and administrator of TipsFromDoris.com.

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