TRAIN THE TRAINER

UNIT-8 Dealing with Difficult

3

Satuations

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to:

 Identify advanced interventions for difficult situations

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Unit 8

Dealing with Difficult Satuations

Training workshops don’t always run smoothly. Somebody once said that training would be a great job if
it weren’t for the participants. While that is probably true at times, training might also be a more
wonderful thing if it weren’t for the trainers!

Training in Different Forums

In Person or Not?

We’re living in a smaller world, where we can pick up the phone or hop online and connect to someone
around the globe as easily as an office down the street. Expectations for training have changed as things
change around us, and so you should expect that part of your training, sooner or later, will include a
virtual component.

As you complete your needs assessment, consider the best way to deliver training for the group you are
working with. Just think of the opportunities if you can offer videoconferencing, webinars,
teleconferencing, or any experience other than a traditional classroom.

For some training (communication skills, for example), it seems that training makes the most sense
inside a classroom. In many ways this is probably true, since learning together is part of the reason some
people attend training. They like learning together. They like meeting new people and the social aspect
of being in the same place. However, sometimes we need to think about our alternatives and what is
best for trainees.

Test Your Knowledge

What are the advantages of delivering training in a teleconference or webinar format?

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Test Your Knowledge

Limitations and Considerations

Generate a list of limitations and considerations for trainers as they prepare for delivering their
training through a virtual medium.

If you are presenting in an unfamiliar space, you must make sure that you fully understand how your
computer or materials will work. For example, do you need a split screen so that you can share images
in large enough format that everyone can see or are they taking notes at their desktop? Always arrange
for a practice session or ample setup time.

You also need to know whether there is someone available to troubleshoot if necessary. Or, it can be
helpful to have an assistant so that you can pay attention to the training. The assistant looks after the
phone lines, records the session, handles questions during a question and answer session, and performs
any troubleshooting.

You may be inclined to use free or nearly free services. If this is the case, make sure you know how many
people can sign into the session at one time. Also make sure that the sound or recorded images are of
sufficient quality. (Our voices can become distorted over Internet and phone lines. Test several providers
to ensure that you get the best results possible.)

Remember, if all participants do not have access to the technology required, or get frustrated during
setup, you may not have all the learners that you expected. Orientation should be required for all
participants so that they understand how to connect to a call or web session. This information needs to
go out ahead of time so that participants can test their own system to make sure that things will work as
expected.

The trainer needs to be providing interesting information. However, they also need to ensure that it is
not too complex, as it can be hard to tell if a point has been well understood. (For example, in a
classroom you might be able to see people frowning, but you will probably not have that advantage
when teaching virtually.) Some online systems offer interactive question and answer tools that can help
with this, but some people may be shy about asking questions.

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Another consideration: if training is long, how will you ensure that people have the opportunity to
stretch or that they return from a break?

In general, virtual formats tend to be useful for theory-based training, but they need to be
supplemented by other formats to allow for practice, integration of learning, and follow-up.

Team Teaching
What is Team Teaching?

Team teaching is just what it sounds like: trainers who are sharing the preparation, delivery, and follow
up as a way to provide a meaningful learning experience. If you consider the value of “two heads being
better than one” you may start to realize the benefits to you as a trainer.

Team teaching can be applied in several ways. Choose the one that best suits trainers and learners:
 A pair of trainers shares the classroom at the same time, allowing one to lead while the other
provides support to the learners by circulating during activities, break-out sessions, etc.
 A pair of trainers divides the day, where one teaches some sessions and the second trainer
teaches other ones.
 Trainers can both observe smaller groups present or perform a task, allowing the session to
be completed more quickly.

Test Your Knowledge

Have you have already tried your hand at co-facilitating? If so, what was the experience like?

What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of co-facilitating are?

Test Your Knowledge

Co-Facilitation Inventory

For me, the best part about training is…

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For me, the worst part about training is…

I like to start off my training by…

I like to finish my training by…

I plan my workshop by…

In order to draw people out, I…

In order to keep people from talking too much, I…

To keep myself and the group on track I…

When there is conflict in the group I…

When someone comes late, I…

My favorite way to get people talking is…

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When someone disagrees with what I’ve just said, I usually…

I am most uncomfortable when…

I am most comfortable when…

Something else you should know is…

Training Preparation
Test Your Knowledge
Training Preparation Worksheet

What is our topic?

What are our objectives?

What methods will we use?

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Have we taken all design elements into consideration?

Size of the group

Length of the workshop

Possibility of a pre-assignment

“Threatening” activities

Support materials

Other resources

Opportunities to practice

Take home worksheets

Content

Have we taken all types of learning styles into consideration?

Authentic Idealist

Inquiring Rational

Resourceful Artisan

Organized Guardian

Our learning cycle will look like this:

What visuals will we use?

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What is our backup plan?

Test your Knowledge

Training Presentations

Presentation Evaluation Form

Presenter: Subject:

What Went Well What Did Not Go Well Lessons

(Pros) (Cons) Learned

Action Steps:

Further Reading:

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