Become a Jedi-Level Trainer
How was the first time you had to stand in front of a class? Mine was a nerve-wrecking experience.
Level 1 Trainer: The PPT Reader
I knew the topic well, but I was given someone’s official slides. They made me uncomfortable. They didn’t reflect my key points, my narrative and my persona. I was also expected to cover the topics precisely. Despite my nerves, I delivered a solid class covering everything in the 150-page deck.
I had good feedback. I was chuffed. I could do this!
That was me as a Level 1 Trainer:
I dominated the class environment.
I spoke for long periods sharing my wisdom.
I used slides as the main teaching artefact .
The learners had limited opportunity to participate other that asking questions and doing a few basic exercises.
Level 2 Trainer: The Expert “Edutainer”
A couple of years later I was a more confident trainer. I knew my stuff and people attending my classes spoke highly of them.
My training approach had evolved and incorporated hands-on activities that demonstrated the concepts I wanted to teach. The classes were fun, engaging and full of energy.
The feedback was great and my reputation helped me sell my classes with ease.
I had evolved to become a Level 2 Trainer:
I was facilitating the class, not dominating it.
I spoke during the teaching segments.
I used a variety of teaching techniques including exercises, games, lego(!), drawing on paper, and slides with more pictures and fewer words.
The learners were engaged and spent time doing practical activities.
Level 3 Trainer: The Jedi Master
Fast forward a few years and some of my training had evolved in a surprising direction: I was trying to remove myself from the class as much as I could.
I had attended Sharon Bowman’s Training from the BACK on the Room! (TBR) course and this unlocked a deeper understanding of Instructional Design and how humans learn. My classes were now very dynamic, with the learners taking control of their learning.
The feedback was sky-high and I could now observe people actually learning. The learning was also sticking beyond the class.
That’s what I define as Level 3 training:
The learners lead the class, not me.
I speak as little as I can (a real struggle for me!) and instead I focus on creating ideal learning conditions.
Our classes make extensive use of Evidence-Based Learning (or Education) techniques
The learners are deeply involved in teaching each other.
What level is my own training?
Do I think of myself as a Level 3 trainer? Occasionally, yes.
As many other trainers, I struggle to let go of my sense of self-importance and I revert easily to Level 2 training.
The Actineo training portfolio has courses that fit the Level 3 criteria:
Most of Applying Metrics for Predictability (AMP) *
Parts of Flight Levels Systems Architecture (FLSA) *
Parts of Applying Professional Kanban (APK) *
(*) Most certified courses are designed as Level 2 training, but Actineo creates its own versions using TBR concepts.
Do you know other training that meet the Level 3 description? Share them in the comments!
“Become a Jedi-Level Trainer” was originally published in Business Agility Review on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.