Selecting Learning Activities
Think About Your
Options
How to Select Activities
• http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/medi
a.gif
The Currency of Attention
• The average adult can sit and listen for
about 10 minutes
• Build active learning techniques to improve
and retain attention
• Vary your activities
• Consider divergent and convergent
• Use different modalities
Learners are Individuals!
When choosing activities, consider the full range
of “multiple intelligences” - Howard Gardner
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Linguistic-verbal
Logical-mathematical
Visual-spatial
Bodily-kinesthetic
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Musical-rhythmic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalist
http://www.ed.psu.edu/insys/ESD/gardner/menu.html
Convergent & Divergent
Processes
• Divergent: activities which open up actions and
ideas and do not require agreement or decision
making. Example: brainstorming.
• Convergent: activities which ask groups to move
towards a shared outcome or goal. Example:
prioritization and decision making. These
generally require more process.
• Mix the two styles!
Example Approaches
 Action Learning - action + reflection extends learning outside the training room
 Action Research - research + action +
reflection – extends learning
 Appreciative Inquiry - asset based
 Assessment-Based Learning Activities –
tests, quizes and audits
More Approaches
• Brainstorming – divergent, no bad ideas!
• Case Studies – real world examples
• Coaching - individual performance
feedback
• Consensus, Rating, Decision Making
Activities - convergent
More Approaches
• Debriefing Activities - (AAR, 3 Questions)
interim and final review
• Fishbowls - http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/learning/fishbowls.html
• Future Visioning – planning, opening up
possibilities
• Lecture – keep it short!
Games
• Icebreakers – introductions, create comfort
• Energizers – physical and mental
“refreshment”
• Content Focused Games – games designed
to support the learning goals
• See http://www.deepfun.com,
http://www.nasaga.org and
http://www.thiagi.com
Performance Type Activities
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Improvisation – supports creativity, flexibility
Question and Answer – use adults expertise
Skits – kinesthetic and visual
Role Play – experience different perspectives
Simulations – practice in a safe environment
Example Activities
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Questions for Another Group (peer learning)
How to Use this at Work? (relevance)
Case Studies With Questions (exemplars)
Stump the Trainer (gauge group knowledge)
Turn to Your Neighbor (large group/small
conversation)
• Quick Quiz (5-6 questions, group or individ.)
Examples
• Two Truths & a Lie: Can be an icebreaker
or review activity
• Crumpled Question Toss: review,
knowledge sharing
• Each One Teach One
Use/Tell/Different
 What is one thing you will use (tomorrow,
soon, next week)?
 What is one thing you will tell others
(colleagues, stakeholders, etc) about?
 What one thing you would improve the next
time?
More Activities
• Fill in the Blanks (blanks in handouts)
• Crossword Puzzle (content focused
training)
• Find the Question/Find the Answer
(prepared cards, group activity, movement)
• You Read It/You Teach It (for non technical
content)
More Training Technique &
Activity Resources
• Summary of Training Techniques –
http://www.inquiry.net/adult/trainer/techniq
ues.htm
• Thiagi’s Interactive Strategies for
Improving Performance http://www.thiagi.com/ws-interactivestrategies-for-improving-performance.html
Icebreaker Resources
• Don Clark’s Icebreakers http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/icebreak.html
• http://www.bbyo.org/bbg/ideas/mixers.html
• Introduction Icebreakers http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCo
m/guidebk/teachtip/breakice.htm
• http://www.openconcept.ca/index.php/Facilitation/31 &
http://www.openconcept.ca/index.php/Facilitation/30
• http://www.topten.org/content/tt.AU20.htm
• http://www.resultsthroughtraining.com/downloads/Icebrea
kers.HTML
Energizer Resources
• http://www.johnsleigh.com.au/energizers.ht
m
• http://www.energizeinc.com/art/aget.html
• http://www.zhaba.cz/materials/misc/energiz
ers.html
• http://www.jefeurope.net/infopool/files/IPSEM8.doc