Training from the BACK of the Room! (TBR)

“The person doing the most talking – or moving or writing – in a class or training is doing the most learning.” And,if you observe a traditional face-to-face class, it’s immediately obvious who is doing the most talking, moving, and writing: the instructor or trainer, of course!

Brain research now has the statistics to back up the quotation: When learners talk and move and write, they learn better and remember more. The more passive the learner is (just sitting and watching the instructor talk, move, and write), the less he/she remembers. The reasons for this are physiological, the most important being the lack of movement.

For an interesting “take” on the need for more movement in our lives (including those places like offices and classrooms, where a lot of sitting takes place), watch this short, cartoon “fast-draw” video:

So we teachers and trainers might not need more movement while we’re instructing others, but our learners definitely DO need to move – A LOT! How do we build in short, quick bursts of learner movement into our content-delivery, even when we have way too much material to cover in way too little time? Here are three quick “Body Breaks” that learners can do in two minutes or less, in between lecture segments:

1. Stand, Stretch, and Speak: Direct learners to stand and stretch (give them a few moments to do so). Then they tell the person nearest them a quick summary statement of what they’ve learned so far. They can also tell their neighbor three facts about the content just covered, a question they still have, or how they can use the new information. Once they’ve had this short, paired discussion, they sit down and you begin the next lecture segment.

2. Stretch, Breathe, and Write: Learners stretch in place while sitting, take a few slow, deep breaths, then write a sentence or two about the most important concepts just covered.

3. Wall Chart Summaries: Learners write summary statements on sticky notes, then walk to a wall chart where they post their notes (everyone gets up and walks to the chart so that everyone moves).

There are dozens more ideas in the articles on the Free Stuff: Sharon’s Articles page. Find an article that interests you, grab an idea or two about activities that allow learners to move while reviewing content, then use them in your next class or training and watch what happens!

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If you really really like knowing the “cognitive neuroscience” behind brain-based presenting and training, consider attending my 2-day  “Training from the BACK of the Room” class – the only public TBR class that I will be facilitating for Spring/Summer 2018. The class will be held in Minneapolis MN on April 12th – 13th 2018. Click HERE for details and registration information (there are still seats left). Click HERE for a calendar of all TBR classes for 2017 – 2018 (classes are being added monthly so check back).

I will also be facilitating the 1-day Trainer Certification Course following the 2-day TBR class in Minneapolis.  This 1-day Trainer Certification Course will give you everything you need to be able to present the “official” 2-day TBR class for your own clients, customers, companies, and educational institutions. (Note: You must have attended a 2-day TBR class in order to attend the 1-day Trainer Certification Course.)

As of now, the dates for the April 2018 Trainer Certification Course are sold out. However, there is a wait-list and, if enough people are interested, the sponsoring company (The Braintrust Consulting Group) may open up another Cert Course day. We should know by January 2018 whether we have enough interested people to do this.

Click HERE for more information and registration/sign-up for the wait-list for the April 2018 Trainer Certification Course.

Don’t forget to check out the free give-aways on my website’s  “What’s New?” page while you’re here 🙂 And please pass this information along to anyone who is interested in exciting, unforgettable, learner-centered, brain-based instruction.