Training Top 10

For this assignment I viewed three different training/instruction experiences, wrote about these different experiences, and came up with a top 10 list on what makes good trainings and instruction. 

TOP 10 LIST:

1. Build instruction around the needs and skills of learners
2. Be organized with lists and agendas
3. Allow for and ask clarifying questions
4. Give learners hands on experiences
5. Provide leaners with mentors to watch and ask questions
6. Make the class personal to users
7. Share or demonstrate with examples
8. Allow for repetition
9. Make training fun and entertaining 
10. Be aware of time

Below are more about the experiences I had in watching and participating in different training and instructional experiences: 

1. Sports Academy Front Desk Training

I observed new employees being trained to work at the Front Desk of the Sports Academy.  The training started in an office with the manager going over the basic rules and responsibilities of the job. The manager has a list typed out of things to go over including check-in procedures, lesson sign-ups, and how to answer the telephone.

Once they had gone through the list and all questions had been answered the Manager took the new employees to the front to observe first hand what the front desk staff does. The Manager then showed the new employees how to welcome members, answer the telephone, make smoothies, run the cash register, and sign members of for different kinds of lessons (everything they has discussed back in the office).

After job shadowing for a time, the new employees took turns performing different tasks with a skilled worker helping and answering questions along the way. Because there were only 3 employees being trained this approach worked well and was very personal. The training was also very organized with specific procedures to go over.  In this training new employees were able to first learn about the procedures, see someone else do the procedure, and then try it out for himself or herself. The repetition in this training helped new employees grasp the concepts being taught and practice, practice, practice until they were comfortable with the different tasks.  

2. Yoga Classes

I participated in instruction for yoga classes, both in person and through video.  In a live class the instructor is able to check for understanding and can clarify if anyone is uncertain of what is going on. The instructor can also mix up the routine and the moves according to the students needs in the class. A live instructor also has the potential to share more energy and motivation to the students. In a classroom setting students also have peers to ask questions or share thoughts and feelings with. 

When watching the video the instructor was able to give great instruction and the moves being shown were precise and perfect. However, because this instruction was recorded there was no way to ask clarify questions or adjust moves to the students. One benefit of having video for instruction is that it can be paused and re-watched at the students pace, but the instruction never changes. Some may like this consistency, while others might like the change up of a live class. 

Overall in classes such as yoga, the most important thing is the student and what they are most comfortable with. If student like being alone and going at their own pace, watching a yoga video would be best for them. If a student learns well from others and likes receiving feedback, going to a live yoga class would probably work best for them.

3. Swim Coach Training

I recently attended a coaches meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to go over the new rules and regulations made in the USA Swimming program for this year. The meeting was held in a large room and papers were handed out to coaches. The list went over the new rules that were being implemented.

The meeting started and we began going over the list. Not until the end did the instructors ask if there were any questions. By that time anyone who had question regarding items 1-6 had long forgotten what his or her questions were. Along with this, because we were in a classroom there was no great way to clarify questions in regards to stroke techniques. It would have been beneficial to have a video of the swim strokes or even allow coaches to try or even see the stroke techniques live in the water at the end of class.

Though this meeting was kept short and sweet, I felt frustrated and uncertain with some of the discussed changes.