101 Ways to Make Training Active

As a professional trainer and coach I know my subjects well. That's my problem! It's too easy to stand up and lecture. The trick is to involve participants in meaningful ways. "101 Ways to Make Training Active" is just the ticket. Silberman begins with 20 "top 10" lists of training tips. For example, "Ten assignments to give learning partners" and "Ten suggestions for activating a lecture" and "Ten options for role playing", etc. Each of the 200 tips are written in brief bullet-point style that stimulates creativity. Every list gave me ideas of how to improve my training - and that's the point! The bulk of the book, 244 additional pages, are 101 ways to make training active. The activities are grouped together into 15 sections according the flow of a training program: How to Get Active Participation from the Start, How to Teach Information, Skills, and Attitudes Actively, and How to Make Training Unforgettable. I love these ideas! These are some of my favorite. Actively engage participants early on by handing out a "quiz" on the training topic. Have them work individually then compare answers with others. This allows participants to share information, build team work, and engage in the topic. Another idea with similar objectives is "Go to Your Post". Place 3 or 4 dichotomous choices around the room and ask participants to go the the post they most relate with. Groups at each post discuss why they relate to that choice, or characteristics of that choice, or how to use that choice, etc. Groups report back to the main group with their learning. Do you have a lot of information to get across? Try lecture Bingo. Randomly arrange your main speaking points on a 3 x 3 grid, or Bingo card. As you speak, listeners take notes and mark the speaking points until they get a Bingo (3 marked squares in a row). Acknowledge the Bingo and keep going allowing others to Bingo using your speaking points. Sounds chaotic, but it's fun! As a coach trainer, skill development is the main focus of my courses. Silberman includes some excellent variations on role plays and skill practice. "Show, But NOT Tell" is when the training demonstrates a skill before explaining it. Participants are asked to observe and then explain what the trainer did. Another non-threatening activity places the trainer in the key role and involves the group in providing responses along the way. For example, in a coaching role play, the trainer stops and asks the group, "What question might I ask next?" Reviewing learning through the use of memorable methods will further increase the impact of learning. Fun, creative, and above all memorable methods of reviewing learning include Jeopardy and Who Wants to be a Millionaire game show reviews. Silverman gives instructions make either activity easy to create and to lead. I've seen a lot of books on training games or activities. Most has a couple of "winners" but this one just doesn't quit. Buy it, use it, and watch participation, learning, and y

I have to agree whole-heartedly with others who have given top recommendations for this book. It was recommended to me while I was at a training seminar and has fast become the most used book on my shelf. It really has something for every occaision. One of the very best things about the book is that it is more than just a collection of trainer games (not that there is anything wrong with those books), but it has a million tips and ideas that can be added to any training. I think this is a must have for any trainer.

This is the best collection of meaningful activities I've come across. All the activities are designed to achieve a purpose and are right on target. The pages are designed so that you can easily follow and understand the activities that are grouped into application area or need. The book covers active training techniques for team building, stimulating discussion, on-the-spot assessments, prompting questions, and reviewing strategies. There are quite a few more, as well a section in the beginning with 'tips' for the trainer, like learning names, timesavers, role-playing, setting-up the training room, etc. You will hardly ever conduct a training that will not benefit from a quick peek into this book and the ideas and suggestions included. I honestly believe that no training bookshelf should be without this book: The activities are targeted, relevant to the subject matter and guranteed to produce the desired results. You will not find any 'wishy-washy' activities and games here nor will you catch yourself yawning as you turn the pages. It's quite the opposite in fact; this book is so well written and well presented, that you just might find yourself going through all the 101 activities! And while you're at it, why don't you check 'Active Training' by Mel Silberman as well - it's a gem of a book... Don't hesitate, this is one purchase you will never regret.

It is a practical book based on sound theoretical ideas. Useful for the busy trainer who wants to use new techniques almost immediately. A must book for every trainer.

I used this book while teaching college students, and I found it to be a wonderful source of ideas for in-class exercises. Some really successful exercises I used in class: "Hotseat," where groups of students attempt to answer questions and then choose another group of students to take their place. "Trial," where an issue or idea is put on trial, and groups of students act as the defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, and jury. The best thing about the ideas in this book is the adaptability--there are general enough that you can tailor the exercises and games to your field. In short, it's a great resource that I would recommend to anyone involved in teaching or training.