August 22, 2004
Corporate trainers should take a lesson from teachers (and perhaps little ol' me) on how to inspire the people they're teaching. Today, the buzz word in corporate training is "interactive", but few trainers truly understand the meaning. To many traininers, the concept of "interactive" learning means, "Break into groups of 5 or so and share your thoughts and dreams with regard to baked Ziti." That's not interactive... that's an easy way to spot a trainer who doesn't have enough content to fill the day! I might be completely dead in the water, but I don't think that most workshop participants find value in "discussion groups." Try doing this with a group of 8th graders and they'll eat you alive.
I hear some fantastic stories from science teachers around the country who have captured the hearts and minds of their students, not by parlour tricks, but with some amazing methods that involve and engage them. Just imagine starting the day off by inviting the class to decide if the regulation bowling ball will float or sink when Maria drops it in the huge aquarium filled with water. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to …
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