Ways To Improve the Induction Session

Hello everyone,

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 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.

This module is suitable for use:
With groups of up to about 15 participants.

This module is suitable for:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Requirements
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)