So now the evaluation is under way I thought it would be a good idea to look at the Induction sessions we ran. Here is some little ideas on how we can improve the sessions, making them more interactive and fun for the mentors instead of 3 hours of mindless waffle.
How to
make training sessions more fun and interactive
Quizzes – Maybe
test to see how much they know about BCU or mentoring. Assign to small groups
in each session. Offer some kind of prize? Sweets? (Always works)
Better Ice
Breakers – Example
1.
Name
2.
Faculty
3.
Something interesting about themselves
4.
What academic mentoring means to them
Or…
Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes.
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes.
The aims of this module are:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn something about each other.
• To help participants learn more about each other’s values and motivators.
Or
• To help participants identify group and individual objectives for the course/workshop they’re attending.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn something about each other.
• To help participants learn more about each other’s values and motivators.
Or
• To help participants identify group and individual objectives for the course/workshop they’re attending.
This module is suitable for use:
With groups of up to about 15 participants.
With groups of up to about 15 participants.
This module is suitable for:
Staff at all levels.
Staff at all levels.
You'll need the following additional
resources:
For Version1:
A selection of images, each printed on to an A4 sheet of paper. The images could be very varied and include, for example, abstract images, landscapes, animals, people and holiday scenes.
A selection of images, each printed on to an A4 sheet of paper. The images could be very varied and include, for example, abstract images, landscapes, animals, people and holiday scenes.
For Version 2:
A selection of images from Trainers’ Images (or a similar resource) that could be used to illustrate particular challenges, behaviours or problems that might be relevant to the participants.
A selection of images from Trainers’ Images (or a similar resource) that could be used to illustrate particular challenges, behaviours or problems that might be relevant to the participants.
Notes:
The time needed for this exercise will be influenced by the number of participants in your group. Allow 5 minutes for the initial exercise and 2 minutes for each participant to explain their choice.
The time needed for this exercise will be influenced by the number of participants in your group. Allow 5 minutes for the initial exercise and 2 minutes for each participant to explain their choice.
Less
Delivering Content
-
Instead of speaking for long periods of time,
hold short discussions like we did for the Group Brainstorming session.
-
Perhaps use some kind of competition e.g. a
quiz with a prize at the end for the winning team. (half vs half)
Identify
parts we don’t need
-
Part we don’t need can be deleted and replaced
with a new activity.
-
Parts such as room booking and setting up the
blog can either be deleted or the sections can be put into the handbook for
extra help
-
Make mentor of the week better. Create a structure through which we can assess the
mentors and offer some kind of reward.
Example of
a Team building activity
Name of
Activity: Filing
Frenzy
Skills tested by this
teambuilding game/training module:
Attention to Detail, Accuracy, Process Improvement, Communication, Teamwork, Goal Setting, Motivation, Information Sharing, Problem Solving.
Attention to Detail, Accuracy, Process Improvement, Communication, Teamwork, Goal Setting, Motivation, Information Sharing, Problem Solving.
Background:
In this exercise participants work individually or in teams to sort a pack of specially designed ‘cards’ into categories following selected instructions carefully. Could be used in the group brainstorm activity? Set a pack of cards with some wrong responses of being a good mentor and the list of 6 or 7 right ones and make them sort out the right and wrongs.
In this exercise participants work individually or in teams to sort a pack of specially designed ‘cards’ into categories following selected instructions carefully. Could be used in the group brainstorm activity? Set a pack of cards with some wrong responses of being a good mentor and the list of 6 or 7 right ones and make them sort out the right and wrongs.
Originally designed to test and develop attention to
detail and accuracy, the exercise can also be used as an energiser to develop
teamwork, goal setting and process improvement.
The exercise can also be used to show reactions to
change and is a particularly effective tool for demonstrating the transition
curve and in particular the effect change has on short term performance.
Timing
Filing Frenzy is normally run as a series of intermittent energisers, with each ‘round’ taking about 10 minutes to run.
Filing Frenzy is normally run as a series of intermittent energisers, with each ‘round’ taking about 10 minutes to run.
Requirements
All material required for this exercise are provided. For durability and ease of use, you might like to consider laminating the game cards.
All material required for this exercise are provided. For durability and ease of use, you might like to consider laminating the game cards.
Just though I'd let you all know as well I found a website with a whole list of training exercises, along with ice breakers, course modules and a news section where any new activities can are updated to the site. It's quite a good source and has quite a few generic exercises that would be good for inductions.
Follow
this link to the training material resource: http://www.glasstap.com/trainerslibrary/Default.aspx
That's all folks!! (Looney Tunes end theme tune)
