Trainer of Trainers
A learning space for unexperienced trainers that will guide them through the basic steps of: designing, delivering and assessing a training session; while participating in a learning community to further develop their skills.
As an Educational Psychologist I've always worked in places where the core of business was Learning. As I moved to NYC and worked through the DMDL program I got the chance to work as an intern for the Education and Learning Department in a Professional Service Firm.
I sat through numerous training sessions during my first months there and I noticed that this sessions where missing:
Clear learning goals
Interactions
Student engagement
Even though the E&L Team made great efforts to improve this sessions and the skills of the trainers, there was something else underneath this behaviors.
I took a Human Centered Design approach and started to gather information through:
Class observations
Course Prep Meeting
Interviews
I also started to become part of the group and this helped me understand the culture of this firm from the inside. I ended up conducting an sort of ethnography and I focused on identifying the emotions attached to each behavior observed in classes and meetings; and listening closely to the discourse used to refer to "teaching" and "learning" to inform my design.
At some point I was able to test a few ideas with some users and validate a few of my assumptions. Sadly this "testing" stage was short due to the lockdown implemented in NYC at the beginning of March 2020.
I ended up with four theory and design inspirations to create Trainer of Trainers:
Cognitive Load Theory
Self Explanation Principle
Scaffolding
Learning Community
This information helped me create an online resource that would work for this specific group and its needs.
As a unexperienced trainer this resource will help you prepare for your upcoming session in five simple steps:
Start the Journey - Short and simple videos to describe each step and feature of the resource.
Prepare - Get the materials and instructions step by step to design an effective training session, from establishing learning goals to include meaningful activities to engage the learners throughout the session.
Deliver - Find useful tips and ideas on how to use the designated software to deliver your session. See how some good trainers keep their audience engaged during online session.
Suggest - Reflect on your session and find a few ways to improve for the next trainer.
Collaborate - Connect with other trainers at your firms and exchange tips and ideas on how get better learning.