Instructional design is a multi-dimensional creative effort which produces learning experiences to foster engagement and provide a stimulating training experience. During this process, they will consider many variables such as the audience, training gaps, training methods and resources, and many more. As a result, clients receive a training package that is an amalgamation of many variables. All of the research, design, and decision making plays a a role in how the learning objectives will be accomplished by the participants.
This is why the T3 is so important. Train the trainer (e.g. TTT, T3) is a tool to prepare course instructors to deliver the course as it was designed. Consider this as a great opportunity to see the complete version of the training topic, and have an opportunity to answer questions for clarification. During the T3 session, trainers should focus on the following:
- Present the course as it is intended to delivered. As most professionals say, “practice like you play”.
- Conduct all learning activities as they were designed for the participants. It is important to review learning activities prior to delivering the course.
- Hold a session at the end of the T3 for instructors to ask questions and comment on the training material.
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (PPPPP)
Prior to a T3, the trainer should take some steps to ensure the session is a success for the instructors. Let’s first discuss the setup of the train the trainer. There are some important items that should be included:
- Make sure you have all training materials.
- The instructor delivering the train the trainer should be one of the best available.
- Include some participants and use it as an opportunity to a) train them, and b) gather feedback as a participant. This also serves as a great opportunity to develop your employees.
- Include the following team members: stakeholders, subject matter experts, instructors, training developers, participants who need the training and their managers.
“Practice Like You Play”
One of the main goals of the train the trainer is to show the instructors how the instructor-led course or virtual course should be delivered. Some in the training world call this a “teachback”, while others perform an abbreviated “review” of the entire course. At SEED, we believe that defeats the purpose of the T3.
We always advise our clients to deliver the class in it’s entirety. This accomplishes a few important points. For one, it allows the instructors to be considered qualified to teach the course. For number two, it provides an opportunity for instructors to learn some of the strategies that they may not know how to perform when teaching their own classes. I have always loved watching other instructors work their magic because it provides a fresh perspective on some of the nuances for delivering each training module.
For example, I once watched a train the trainer for “Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Training”. While this course was already interactive, this particular instructor brought in music and flashing lights for one of the case studies. They also brought in a piece of paper resembling a chemical spill. Myself and many other instructors brought these same strategies to our training classes.
Try to be careful about your selection of who will deliver the training. We have seen companies that insisted the instructors deliver the training. While this does provide practice, it also may result in the training being delivered in a way it was not intended. The most ideal situation is to deliver the course exactly as it was designed with the best trainers. This helps set the expectations for delivery of the course to future training sessions.
It is all About the Activities
At SEED, we build many activities throughout our virtual and ILT courses. Activities provide learners with the opportunity to engage with other participants, the instructor or otherwise. It is important for instructors to see the exact delivery method of the activities built in the course. We have often found that implementing the activities as they are built is difficult for less experienced instructors. Therefore, if they don’t see the activity conducted perfectly, they are far less likely to implement it into their classes.
There are many types of activities which can be implemented into training, and often times, we have found the biggest struggle of instructors is a) to skip the activities entirely (Nooo!), and b) to execute them ineffectively. This is why it is so important for the train the trainer to get the activities right. Often times during the T3, we will have a quick review sessions after each activity. This allows all instructors and participants to ask questions for clarification.
The activities should be well written and easy to understand for any qualified instructor, however, due to the difference in our information absorption, we have found this is the biggest part where instructors need clarity. Make sure to take some time to review the activities and answer some questions.
Review Sessions
Once the train the trainer is complete, it is important to have a review session. This session should be used for the following:
- Clear up any uncertainties with the instructors – if they don’t understand any of the concepts of methods at this point, they are unlikely to use the strategies when delivering the course in front of a live audience.
- Brainstorm a bit – use this time to brainstorm some ideas with the instructors, subject matter experts, and stakeholders.
- Thank all those involved – this is very near the end of the training development project, so make sure to thank all involved individuals.
- Resources – provide your contact information so instructors can easily reach out for support. Additionally, this is good time to provide any additional resources you have pulled from for instructors to use a research and preparation for their classes.
The train the trainer session is a great opportunity to provide the instructors with the perfect model of the course. They get to witness a great example of the course, and can actively strive to deliver and improve that course to future participants. There are certainly opportunities for instructors to add their style when delivering as long as they stay within the general structure of the course as it was designed. From our experience, the T3 becomes the baseline of excellence, while trained instructors will seek to go above and beyond their lessons and share them with their future classes.
Contact us if you would like to get our rubric template to evaluate train the trainer sessions.
