When designing a training course, one crucial aspect is timing various activities throughout the day.
The time of day can significantly impact participants’ energy levels, attention spans, and overall engagement.
By strategically scheduling activities based on the time of day, trainers can optimize the learning experience and ensure maximum effectiveness.
Here are some types of activities to consider for different periods of the day:
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
- Energizing Warm-up Activities: Kickstart the day with icebreakers, energizers, or physical exercises to awaken participants’ bodies and minds. This helps to create a positive and engaged atmosphere.
- Content Introduction: Utilize this period to present new concepts, theories, or frameworks. Participants’ minds are generally fresh in the morning, making it an ideal time for delivering complex information or introducing new subject matter.
- Interactive Discussions: Encourage group discussions, brainstorming sessions, or problem-solving activities. Morning hours are ideal for engaging participants’ critical thinking skills and promoting active participation.
Midday (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM):
- Lunch Break: Allow participants to recharge by providing a proper lunch break. This break can be an opportunity for informal networking, building relationships, or simply unwinding.
- Guest Speaker or Panel Discussion: During this period, invite subject matter experts or industry professionals to deliver talks or participate in panel discussions. This helps maintain participants’ focus while providing fresh perspectives.
- Hands-on Activities: Introduce practical exercises, simulations, or case studies encouraging active learning. These activities allow participants to apply the concepts learned in the morning, promoting retention and understanding. This is something we hear from customers looking for training course material to present Organizational Development Courses.
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Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM):
- Group Activities: Organize group projects, team-building exercises, or collaborative problem-solving activities. Working together in the afternoon can boost energy levels and provide a change of pace from individual learning.
- Application and Practice: Allocate time for participants to practice new skills, engage in role plays, or participate in workshops. This hands-on approach helps reinforce learning and encourages participants to transfer knowledge into real-world scenarios.
- Reflection and Q&A Sessions: Provide time for reflection, self-assessment, and Q&A sessions. This allows participants to consolidate their learning, seek clarifications, and address any questions or concerns they may have.
Late Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM onwards):
- Recap and Summarization: Summarize key points covered during the day and highlight important takeaways. This aids in reinforcing learning and ensures participants leave with a clear understanding of the material covered.
- Engaging Multimedia: Incorporate videos, multimedia presentations, or interactive tools to keep participants engaged during the later hours. Visual and interactive elements can help combat fatigue and sustain interest.
- Inspirational or Motivational Talks: Invite guest speakers to deliver inspiring talks or share success stories related to the training topic. Such sessions can help participants maintain enthusiasm and leave the training course on a positive note.
Remember, these suggestions serve as a general guideline, and the specific activities to include in a training course will depend on factors such as the course objectives, audience, and duration.
By carefully planning and aligning activities with the time of day, trainers can create an engaging and impactful learning experience for participants.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.