On the day of the training session you should always:
- Arrive at least 45-60 minutes before the designated start time of the course.
- Ensure that all equipment required is in good working order. And, you should check that back-up options are accessible.
- Ensure that reception staff are aware of the training session.
- Shake hands with all participants as they arrive.
- Introduce yourself by name and explain that you will be their trainer for the course.
How you organize the training room is always important. And, it will also greatly depend on the number of trainees attending and their backgrounds.
The organization seating positions will make for an unprecedented training experience. You should aim for an unobstructed view of the visual aids (monitor, screen, flipchart, blackboard etc.) and of you as the trainer.
An ideal ‘U’ shape room layout will aid group participation and group/trainer interaction.
Introductions
Everyone experineces some level of forgetfulness with introductions. You should not associate this experience with the sense something is wrong or that you were not heard. In fact, your realization also offers a chance to connect with your and gives you an opportunity for your best training session.
The best way to form connections is to introduce yourself again by name at the start of the session. Take the time to help participants gain confidence in your expertise and gauge your capacity to successfully deliver the course. Once everyone have become comfortable with initially introductions, discuss your background and ask all participants to introduce themselves using a similar format.
Name: Job Title:
Organization (if more than one company is attending the course):
Establish Ground Rules And Housekeeping
Ground rules need to be established before the training begins.
In particular, participants need to be confident that everything that is said and discussed is within a safe environment. As a result, it is essential that there is some discussion and agreement around confidentiality.
A few well-chosen general housekeeping rules will greatly aid your delivery of a course. For example:
- Mobile phones should be turned off. Some trainers permit mobile phones to be left on silent mode. Direct emergency messages should be directed to reception. Check messages at break times.
- Break times – let participants know what these times are. And, where the breaks will take place.
- Rest Rooms and Emergency Exits – let participants know where these are.
Starting A Session
You can use these practical icebreakers to help you establish expectations. Revisiting feedback from icebreakers at the end of the session will allow you to identify what expectations have been met.
You should ask participants to complete a pre-test if one is available. Participants may be apprehensive about completing this task. You should explain that it is for their eyes only and that a pre-test will help them evaluate their own learning over the course.
You can then discuss key learning principles and the learning objectives of the course. Although these should be fixed, and based on your preparation, you should explain to the participants that every effort will be made to cover additional objectives that they may wish to raise. You should spend some time exploring other objectives that they may have before you move on. Build ownership of the training objectives amongst participants and ensure that expectations are set at the start of the course allowing a clear evaluation of the training session.
Now, you can follow training course materials as prepared and then evaluate the course as appropriate.
