This high-energy presentation given by Marc Ratcliffe was my last presentation at the ASTD 2013 conference. It was a great conference with a wealth of wonderful ideas and inspiration. I could think of no better presentation to end on.
As participants were gathering for his presentation, he kept us engaged with presession warm-ups. He mentioned that it was like going to the movies and participating in the questions before the film started. He considers his activities a soft opening. If you wait for people to arrive, that becomes the new start time. Instead, use a pre-session. During our pre-session, we built a training mascot out of pipe cleaners.
Training Mascot
Radcliffe feels it is important to develop instruction that integrates the head – cognitive, the heart – motivation, and the hands – practice.
In this presentation, Radcliffe provided us with 26 techniques that we could use in our instruction. Naturally, we would have to tweak the techniques to fit our situation. Radcliffe stressed games are not the antithesis of content. They can help to challenge, reinforce, persuade, refocus, and reassure participants.
Ask it basket
People pop in questions during the day. Can be a virtual basket. Facilitates the asking. You can slyly post your own question.
Backchannel
Twitter, Yammer, LinkedIn, etc. Backchannel originated with therapists.
Countdown
Closing activity. Numbers count down and revisit key points. E.g., five things for this key point. Query audience.
Deal with the Dominator
Give the rest of the group their voice back and balance the interaction.
- Scribe – Dominator writes ideas
- Observer – Dominator observes reports out
- Structure – place rules of game to get points, eg. one group goes before next.
Elevator pitch
You have 30 seconds to explain your concept to the rest of the group. For example, each person has a theorist, and then reports out to the group. Later, it ties it back to a current project.
Find your partner
Common Pairings:
- Famous couples
- Food that goes together
- Song and artist
- Quote and author
- Term and definition
- Language
Name
- Favorite country
- Favorite food
- Favorite car
- Favorite celebrity
Individuals write answers on cards. Collect and mix cards, and redistribute to find other half.
Game shows
- The rich list
- Millionaire
- Jeopardy
- Wheel of Fortune
- Family feud
Human Treasure Hunt
Find x number of evidence. Questions like someone who has children, someone wearing gold, someone with the same shoe size, etc. Can be a scavenger hunt-type game.
I am famous
Use quotes as a game to lead into new content. Or students can look for quotes.
Jargon Jungle
Terms and definitions on cards jumbled but brought together.
Killing them (Micro)softly?
Less is more for PowerPoint
Laughing rounds
- ha ha ha
- ho ho ho
- hee hee hee
- haw haw haw
You can use it as a response for questions that have been answered.
Movie Quotes
Find a movie quote which gives a reference point to the content but acts as a reinforcement. https://www.imdb.com/search/title-text (Search for quotes)
Never Ever
Questions
- been on a plane
- been overseas
- sung in public
- had a parking fine
- used facebook
- lied to a friend
Helps to know your audience.
Out of the Box
How to pick people for a random group and how to develop a group story.
Example question
- Who has the oldest car?
- Who is wearing the most buttons?
- Who has come the longest distance?
Postcards
Have them write one or two things they have learned and put their addresses on them. Collect cards and send them back to each person.
Questioning techniques
Let the question hang 6 seconds
Rewind
Start of the day activity. Write all the key takeaways from yesterday. As you go through the list, have them line them out as you go around the room. Last person standing.
Speedball
End of the day activity to highlight key items. Pass the ball around.
Take home pay
What is your take-home pay from today?
U-turn
Give everyone a U-turn card. Look at things from different or opposing perspectives. Supports creative problem-solving.
Velocity of Thought
First, list topics you teach. Next, list your favorite activities from today. Combine the third topic with the second activity, and consider how you could use that pairing in training.
What’s My Flavor?
Describe yourself as a dessert.
X-files
Asking a question needing an external answer… 60 seconds to answer. Can use technology.
Your Turn
Show a picture and ask a question, eg. How is this picture like our topic?
Zoom
Spell zoom with backside.
This was a fast-paced, highly energetic presentation. Marc Ratcliffe did a great job!
