accidental trainer

Brenda Hough http://maintainitproject.orgMaintainIT - Library Training Specialist - bckhough@gmail.com

Stephanie Gerding http://stephaniegerding.comIndependent Library Consultant - stephaniegerding@gmail.com

Internet Librarian 2008 Preconference

• I am __ from __. (name, library, location).• The kind of training I do is…• Something fun or unique about myself is…

      OR    My favorite quote is…

• One thing I want to get out     of today’s session is…

These 8 questions will be answered:1. What skills should a technology trainer have? 2. Why should libraries offer technology training? 3. How do we learn and how do we help others learn?4. How do you create a learning community in a workshop? 5. What hands-on activities increase learning, participation, and

retention? 6. How do you organize and design a workshop?7. How can you deal with difficult training situations? 8. What are some best practices from other libraries?

• Teach classes in a computer lab• Provide online webinars• Create self-paced tutorials• Help a library customer send an email• Show a co-worker how to create a blog• Work in any type of library• Didn’t plan on tech training

    being part of your library work!

• Less than ONE Year• 1-5 years• 5-10 years• 10-15 years• 15-20 years• More than 20 years!

• Technology knowledge isn’t optional anymore o Required for work, education, government, politics,

cultural, social—technocultural isolation• Your library has computers and the people using

them will ask for help• They want tech training!• Libraries bring people and knowledge together

What are some KEY skills to have as a technology trainer?

Flexibility

Social Skills

Self-confidence

Planning Facilitation

Delivery

Subject Knowledge

Communication

Respect

Patience

• A learning style refers to how a person takes in and processes information

• Many learning models—over 50• Adults differ in the ways they learn:

o the type of information they learn besto their preferred sensory intakeo individual preferences, personalities & experiences

• People take in the world differently

• They can be self-directed and have choices• They can relate & build on their experiences• They have learning needs and motivation• They know why the topic is relevant• They can practice, reflect, think, and share• They can apply new knowledge/skills immediately

—it is practical• Their basic needs are met (physiological, safety,

social, esteem, and self-actualization)

• Not just individuals but a community collaborating• Mind and body: Safety, comfort and basic needs• Learning is creation, not consumption• Help them connect with each other, the topic and

you; engage them• Facilitation and organized flexibility• Let THEM do it: discussions, activities

From flickr.com; FL Keys, Monroe County Library

1.Engage Your Participants from the Start2.Be a Brain-Friendly Presenter 3.Encourage Lively and Focused Discussion4.Urge Participants to Ask Questions 5.Let Participants Learn from Each Other 6.Enhance Learning by Experience and Doing7.Blend in Technology Wisely 8.Make the End Unforgettable

        Adapted from Mel Silberman’s        Training the Active Training Way

• Polling• Pair Share or Learning

Partners• Action Plans• Question Sharing• Storytelling• Analogies

• Snowball Fight• Scavenger Hunt• Top 10 Lists• Chocolate Hugs

and Kisses• Jeopardy• Speed Dating

Storytelling

"When facts become so widely available and instantly accessible, each one becomes less valuable. What begins to matter more is the ability to place these facts in context and to deliver them with emotional impact. And that is the essence of the aptitude of Story - context enriched by emotion."        -Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind

• Training and Development Plans• Marketing• Workshop Plan• Modules• Training techniques• Evaluation• Materials• Administrative Details

WORKSHOP PLAN• Title• Target Audience• Length • Workshop Goal• Learning Objectives • Description• Modules and Timing• Evaluation• Materials and Supplies

• “I just need 3 sources by tomorrow”• “Fantastic Freebies for Everyone”• 23 Things• ImaginOn.org classes from PLCMC

o YouTube Contesto Take Photos for Your Webpageo Present your Research—h.s. studentso Teen Second Life: Get One!o Make Your Own Computer Gameso Gaming for Parentso E-mail by Appointment & Computer Q & A

• Teen Volunteer programs; on call, assistant

• Acknowledge that nervousness is normal. • Don't apologize or call attention to your nervousness. • Be aware of your breathing.• Remember that the participants want you to succeed. • Have a positive and confident outlook, even if you fake it at

first! • Establish a warm-up routine/checklist. Get comfortable and

familiar with the room, equipment, lights, etc. • Know as much as you can about your audience. • Practice and practice. • Focus on the people and your message, not your nerves. • Start with a relevant joke or story to give accessibility to the

content.

10 Tips to 10 Tips to Calm the QualmsCalm the Qualms

The Accidental Technology Trainer: A Guide for Libraries

($29.50/ISBN 978-1-57387-269-0) Information Today, Inc., 2007