Module 6
Training the statistical trainer
Synopsis
This module is concerned with developing the training skills of District Office staff who will
themselves train colleagues and other professional contacts on statistical topics and ideas.
The module aims to introduce and review how adults learn, different types of learning styles,
good communication and presentation skills, effective preparation and development of materials,
and the logistics of pulling resources together into an effective course appropriate for the
participants learning statistics.
Objectives
By the end of this module course participants will:

Be able to clearly state the objectives of a training session and choose the exercise and
materials needed to successfully achieve these objectives

Be able to create and effectively present a training session

Understand the process of constructing a training course

Feel confident that they can restructure an existing training session, or make
recommendations on how to restructure an existing training programme, to improve its
effectiveness.
Prerequisites: Completion of Modules 1 to 5.
Duration: 6 days - 12 sessions
Resources:
Participants should bring a training course with them which will be used in practical work during
the module.
Training course supplied by UBOS for participants who have not brought a suitable course (This
is currently the Community Information Systems training course and is referenced in some
module descriptions).
Districts Training Programme
Module 6 – Page 1
Module 6
Sessions
Day 1
Adult learning and types of training
Synopsis: Underpins all the remaining days of the course. Here we introduce the format of the
course, look at the elements of a training programme and consider the aspects of adult learning.
Learning Objectives
To be aware of the ways that adults learn, and know how to address take this into account when
training them.
Content

Introduction to the course

Adult learning and learning styles defined

Teaching styles

(Common training methods)

Factors that impact motivation to learn
Practical: As individuals – self assessment of their own learning style, using the learning style
inventory.
Day 2
Communication and Facilitation skills
Synopsis: Verbal communication skills.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn the importance of good communication, as well as the techniques that
ensure this. At the end of the session they will know how to run a one-to-one consultation (e.g.
with a client) effectively, and how to organise and manage a discussion.
Content

Principles of communication

Do’s and don’ts of inclusive language

Qualities of a good facilitator

Constructive feedback

What is particularly difficult about communicating statistics

Organisational skills
Practical: As individuals – self assessment of their communication style.
Districts Training Programme
Module 6 – Page 2
Module 6
Day 3
Effective Presentation
Synopsis: Communication by visual and verbal means – just a single session
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to organise and presentation a single session
using Powerpoint.
Content:

Structure and delivery

Making a Powerpoint presentation

Evaluation of presentations

Evaluation of audience reactions
Day 4
Creating an effective training session
Synopsis: Starting from scratch – choosing resources for a training session and preparing the
structure of a session.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session participants should be able to decide what resources to use in a training
session and be able to structure a session using these resources.
Content

Common training methods

Institutional resources used in training

Resources for improved statistics

Practical - Creating different types of sessions
Activity 1: Create a session that is part of a course to train enumerators in collecting data. They
are given the questionnaire that is to be used and a task that could be for one session. Their task
is to outline the session as a whole and to plan a single (interesting) activity within this session.
Participants have a flip-chart but no computers for this session. Activity 2: Another one.
Day 5
Designing a training course
Synopsis: Moving up a level to designing, not just a session, but a coherent programme of
sessions that is relevant for an intended audience.
Districts Training Programme
Module 6 – Page 3
Module 6
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this participants will understand the steps that are required to construct a whole
training course, and will have gained some confidence in how to do this.
Content:

Assessing training needs

Stages of designing a training programme

Planning and budgeting
Practical – give their course structure – 1-day course
Day 6
Putting it all into practice
This final day is designed to support participants in putting into practice what has been learned
during the set of 6 modules. This is partly through discussion, but also through the preparation
of a (Power point) presentation that could be used on their return
Districts Training Programme
Module 6 – Page 4