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22. Working with equipment

Materials you may need for a training session

• Flipcharts, paper and markers
• Pre-prepared flipchart
• Laptop and projector
• Extension leads
• PowerPoint slides
• White board
• Monitor, TV
• DVD or CD player
• Video equipment
• Camera
• USB stick
• Workbooks
• Pads of writing paper and pens
• Handouts
• Evaluation forms
• Pens and markers
• Coloured card
• Name tags
• Medals or trophies, gifts
• Sweets,
• Visuals
• Bean bag or ball
• Post it notes
• Tape, blue tack,
• Certificates
• Scissors
• Bell, stop watch, timer, etc

Training with computers

Computers

• tend to be isolating
• tend to keep people physically very passive
• tend to appeal to only one learning style
• can be very media based rather than experiential, depending on the content of the course
• often mean participants are looking at their screen and not really listening to you

With these points in mind, try to create learning environments where the use of computers is interspersed with other kinds of activities. Build in to your training ways that will make the experience

• more collaborative
• more exploratory
• full of options
• activity-based
• problem-centred
• creative
• incorporate the 4 phases of the learning cycle - Preparation, Presentation, Practice and Performance.

How to use visual aids

There are some basic guidelines for using them effectively.

• don't block the view.
• check from the back of the room if the visual is clearly visible.
• don't fill the view with too much information.
• limit the number of ideas to one slide/visual (4 maximum).
• reveal only one point at a time.
• keep it simple and talk around it.
• show the visual for long enough for people to read, digest and listen to you.
• know how they operate or work, and how to trouble-shoot when they don't.
• practice using them.

Visual aids are best used when;

• Displaying statistical data
• Introducing a new topic or changing topics
• Adding humour
• Emphasising key points
• Recapping key points
• Contrasting
• When you need visual impact
• When you want to make sure everyone is looking at the same thing

They are tools which can either help or hinder the learning process depending on how effectively they are used. Here are some of the most common.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint slides can greatly enhance the presentation of certain types of information but overused they lose their effectiveness.

They are flexible and professional and offer great array of opportunities for the visualisation of ideas.

There are some very commonly made mistakes which should be avoided.

Very importantly, remember that PowerPoint slides should

• Never be read out aloud to participants
• Never have too many words, long phrases or paragraphs
• Never have more than 2 to 3 points/ideas on each slide
• Never reveal more information than you want people to see or that people need at that moment
• Never be confusing either in meaning or visually
• Never be the words you say – just the ideas you want to convey
• Never overuse the gimmicks, transitions and graphical extras that come with the software.

So, when using PowerPoint slides you should

• Always use dot points instead of long whole sentences
• Always use a little colour and useful graphical elements to relieve boredom and add interest
• Always be simple and clear so that the message is distilled to its most clearest form
• Always be shown for long enough time to allow everyone to read, digest and listen
• Always ADD to your words NOT detract from them
• Always try to use cartoons, images, screenshots, video, graphs or other graphics instead of words wherever possible
• Be consistent with the use of font type and size. Don't overuse capitals, italics or coloured text.
• Always blank the screen when you are not talking to a slide. It is confusing to see a slide that has nothing to do with what the presenter is talking about.

PowerPoint presentations

• Can control and regulate what information people see and when – use that control wisely and your message will be much more powerful. Remember that there is no limit to the number of slides you can use. Use more slides with less information on each than fewer slides packed with words and ideas.
• Need to be practiced so that you develop a ‘script’ to each slide, the content of your talk. This will help you to avoid being tempted to use the words on the slides as a your script and avoid the common problem of just reading the slides and saying nothing else.
• Should not drive what you say, only the flow of your presentation. The slides should be tiny visual reminders to you of the full version of your ‘script’, and the full versions of the points you want to make.

Flip charts

Flip charts are useful for on-the-spot lists, brainstorming, prioritising, capturing ideas generated by a group or creating plans or drafts. They are often used as spontaneous tools and are better for smaller groups.

Some tips

• You can practice more difficult graphics in advance.
• Prepare more complex calculations or diagrams in advance.
• Make sure you write at the correct size and in a dark colour using thick pens.
• If you can't draw very well, trace something in advance in pencil and 'pretend' to draw it.
• Use only big headings, dot points, key concepts and meaningful graphics.

Video/digital media

Video and DVD can be useful for demonstrating a skill or a behaviour, setting up a scene, or delivering content by an expert, for example. They can also be extremely useful for sharing participants' own practice sessions in order to promote self-evaluation, or to seek the feedback of others.

Some tips Make sure

• the equipment is working
• you know how to adjust the lighting and sound amplification
• you watch the DVD before and know where you want to start and finish
• you have prepared the questions for drawing out the main points from the video
• you prepare the participants properly before they watch the video for the first time - ask them to look out for something in particular, for example.
• you ask participants if they would like to see the video again, a little later.

White/black boards

Boards are often used in a similar way to flip charts for on-the-spot lists, brainstorming, prioritising, capturing ideas generated by a group or creating plans or drafts. Make sure you have chalks and an eraser. Practice to make sure you write clearly and in a size everyone can see.

Overhead projectors

These tools are now becoming less popular but can still be useful in the absence of any other. They can be used in similar ways to flip charts or whiteboards and even PowerPoint. Whichever tool you use, remember that participants must be able to see the visuals.

Effective use of equipment or visual aids

There are some basic guidelines for using equipment effectively.

• don't block the view.
• check from the back of the room if the visual is visible.
• don't fill the view with too much information.
• limit the number of ideas to one slide/visual (4 maximum).
• reveal only one point at a time.
• keep it simple and talk around it.
• show the visual for long enough for people to read, digest and listen to you.
• know how they operate or work, and how to trouble-shoot when they don't.
• practice using them.