It is a pleasure to welcome you to The Trainer's Workshop Series.
Reva Kalef has specialized in assisting instructors and instructional designers with their ongoing professional development since 1984. During those years, Reva has created a series of practical workshops which provide instructors and instructional designers with the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes which are required to design sound courses and to deliver instruction effectively. The Trainer’s Workshop Series focuses on face-to-face instruction for adult learners.
Class size is kept small in all workshops in order to encourage participation and to allow for personalized assistance and instructor support. The workshops are highly practical and at the same time provide instructors and instructional designers with a sound understanding of adult education principles.
One of the primary objectives of The Trainer’s Workshop Series is to provide participants with a supportive and colleagial learning environment. Reva very much looks forward to working and learning with you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to The Trainer's Workshop Series
- What is involved?
- Who should attend?
- Can I take individual workshops?
- Can previous workshops count as pre-requisites and toward the Statement of Completion?
- Is there a time restriction?
- Can these workshops be transferred to other programs?
The Advisory Committee
The Trainer's Workshop Series is honored to receive guidance from:
- Margaret Owens, M.Ed., Adult Education
- Tom Sork, Ph.D., Adult Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is involved?The Trainer's Workshop Series consists of the following 7 workshops:
| Workshop Title | Length |
|---|---|
| Training Delivery Skills - Level 1 | 2 days |
| Training Delivery Skills - Level 2 | 2 days |
| Designing Effective Training Programs | 2 days |
| Ideas for Active Learning | 2 days |
| Using Materials & Technology to Enhance Training | 2 days |
| Group Dynamics & Learning | 2 days |
| The Integration Seminar | 1 day |
After completing the 7 workshops, participants will be awarded a Statement of Completion.
Please note that the following specialized workshop is also available:
| Workshop Title | Length |
|---|---|
| One-to-One Training and Coaching Skills | 2 days |
You are most welcome to take individual workshops. You do not need to take the series in its entirety.
2. Who should attend?
This series of workshops will be of benefit to anyone who is involved in the design and delivery of training programs for adult learners.
Often people who have content expertise find themselves with training responsibilities. While these individuals are very knowledgeable about their subject matter, they may wish assistance with instructional design and delivery.
Sometimes people find themselves in the situation of having to design and deliver training in a content area in which they themselves are still gaining expertise. In this challenging situation, an understanding of how to effectively design and deliver training programs can be a great asset.
Helping people learn occurs in a wide variety of settings and in a broad range of content areas. Participants who attend The Trainer's Workshop Series may come from government agencies, business and industry, post-secondary institutions, the non-profit sector, consulting, health-care, crown corporations, etc. The range of instructional content areas could include: health & safety, computer applications, job skills, policies & procedures, legislation, finance, conflict resolution, library research skills, counselling, supervision, diversity, communication skills, environmental awareness, etc.
The workshops in The Trainer's Workshop Series will be of assistance to both new and experienced instructors and instructional designers. In addition, the series will be useful for individuals who have either full-time or part-time training responsibilities.
3. Can I take individual workshops?
Participants are most welcome to take individual workshops. To ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from the workshops, some pre-requisites will apply.
4. Can previous workshops count as pre-requisites and toward the Statement of Completion?
If you have taken equivalent workshops with Reva in the past, you will be able to use them as pre-requisites and toward the Statement of Completion. In order for Reva to keep accurate records, please submit the following:
- the name of the workshop;
- the dates and times it was taken;
- where it was held;
- your contact information.
If you have taken equivalent workshops with other instructors, Reva will review the following information and discuss it with you. The information you will need to send in this case is:
- the name of the workshop;
- the dates and times it was taken;
- where it was held;
- the workshop description and objectives;
- your contact information.
Please send this information to:
- Reva Kalef
Fax: 604-261-2659
E-Mail: reva@kalefconsulting.com
5. Is there a time restriction?
It is recommended that participants who plan to complete the series take all of the workshops within a condensed period. In this way, participants will enjoy a sense of continuity.
6. Can these workshops be transferred to other programs?
Please contact Reva for information at reva@kalefconsulting.com.
Workshop Descriptions
Training Delivery Skills - Level 1
In this highly interactive 2-day workshop, participants will increase their understanding of how to help adults learn more effectively. Participants will also have two opportunities to practice instructional delivery in a supportive, coaching environment.
Throughout the 2 days, participants are encouraged to add to their knowledge base, ask questions, solve problems, try out new ideas, disagree, share experiences, practice skills, and give and receive feedback. Emphasis is on building a colleagial atmosphere in which participants can both increase their understanding of how to help adults learn and practice instructional delivery.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop will be of assistance to both new trainers who want to learn effective instructional delivery skills as well as to more experienced trainers who wish to enhance existing skills.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- explain special considerations when working with adult learners;
- explain the importance of creating and maintaining positive learning environments;
- define instructional style and why it is important in the teaching-learning process;
- explain the characteristics of a motivating instructor;
- explain a variety of instructional techniques and identify how they could be applied to different content areas;
- identify common instructional challenges and describe possible strategies for handling them.
None
Workshop Length:
2 days
Training Delivery Skills - Level 2
This is a highly participatory 2-day workshop which focuses on advanced instructional delivery skills. Throughout this workshop, participants will be actively involved in learning new information; observing and reflecting on their own instructional delivery as well as that of others; and analyzing how to further enhance the ways in which they help adults learn. Emphasis is placed on the development of a practical repetoire of instructional skills which may be applied to a variety of teaching contexts. There will be opportunities to practice delivery throughout the workshop.
This workshop extends the knowledge, skills and attitudes which were covered in Training Delivery Skills - Level 1.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop will be of assistance to individuals who have instructional delivery responsibilities and who wish to further increase their understanding of the process through observation, practice and reflection.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- describe the concept of critical thinking and its importance for learning;
- explain perceptual learning styles and their usefulness in enhancing instruction;
- describe the importance of motivation and identify at least five motivational strategies;
- distinguish between clear and unclear communication when instructing;
- explain types of questions which can be used to enhance learning and demonstrate their use;
- explain the importance of overviews, cueing, debriefing, integration and summaries when instructing;
- describe the importance of assessment and identify at least five assessment strategies;
- explain the importance of effective feedback and demonstrate this instructor skill;
- describe common ethical concerns facing the instructor;
- explain the importance of instructor self-care and strategies for implementing it.
Training Delivery Skills - Level I
Workshop Length:
2 days
Designing Effective Training Programs
Throughout this highly participatory 2-day workshop, participants will learn a six-step process for designing training programs. During the workshop, we will look at the importance of consultation, appropriateness, motivation, participation, assessment, and retention and transfer.
Participants will be actively involved throughout this workshop. They will have an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills to their own planning situations. Participants are asked to identify a program idea to work on during the workshop.
Who Should Attend:
This practical, hands-on workshop is directed toward people who have responsibility for designing any type of training program. It will be of assistance to those who are new to designing training programs as well as to those who wish to enhance existing skills.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- describe three program planning philosophies;
- explain the benefits of systematic planning;
- describe and apply each of the steps of the planning model to a relevant project;
- identify common reasons for unsuccessful training programs and strategies for overcoming them.
Training Delivery Skills - Level I
Recommended:
Training Delivery Skills - Level 2
Workshop Length:
2 days
Ideas for Active Learning
In this practical 2-day workshop, participants will increase their understanding of active learning and come away with many new instructional technique ideas. To better assist instructors and instructional designers, the ideas are divided into five categories: ideas for introductions, ideas for expectation-setting, ideas for energizers, ideas for retention and transfer, and ideas for closure.
In addition to significantly adding to technique repetoire, there will be an emphasis on analyzing when, why and how the techniques should be used. In this workshop, participants will come away with many ideas for designing and delivering instruction which is motivating, interesting, challenging and remembered.
Who Should Attend:
Because this workshop focuses on both expanding instructional technique repetoire as well as analyzing the appropriateness of techniques to assist learning, this workshop will be of assistance to both instructors and instructional designers.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- describe the qualities of active learning;
- explain the importance of introductory activities and identify examples of them;
- explain the importance of expectation-setting activities and identify examples of them;
- explain when the use of energizers is appropriate and identify examples of them;
- explain the importance of building retention and transfer into instructional plans and identify specific strategies which do so;
- explain the importance of closure activities and identify examples of them.
Training Delivery Skills - Level 1
Workshop Length:
2 days
Using Materials & Technology to Enhance Training
In this practical 2-day workshop, participants will increase their understanding of how the appropriate use of materials and technology can enhance the learning process. Throughout this workshop, participants will become more knowledgeable about the qualities of effective instructional materials and more aware of how to use typical training room equipment well. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to analyze appropriate material and technology choices.
During the workshop, we will cover the following instructional materials: handouts, manuals, job aids, flipcharts, overhead transparencies, powerpoint sessions and props. We will also cover the appropriate use of the following training room equipment: flipchart easel, overhead projector and data projector.
Who Should Attend:
Because the effective use of instructional materials and training room equipment can greatly assist the learning process, this workshop will be relevant for both instructors and instructional designers.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- explain the benefits of using instructional materials;
- identify the qualities of effective handouts, manuals, job aids, flipcharts, overhead transparencies, powerpoint sessions and props;
- distinguish between effective and ineffective instructional materials;
- analyze appropriate instructional materials choices for specific training situations;
- describe the basic operations of the following training room equipment: flipchart easels, overhead projectors and data projectors;
- demonstrate the effective use of 3 pieces of training room equipment;
- analyze appropriate technology choices for specific training situations.
Training Delivery Skills - Level I
Recommended:
Designing Effective Training Programs
Workshop Length:
2 days
Group Dynamics & Learning
When learning takes place in groups, an understanding of group dynamics can be a great asset for instructors. It can help them make wise decisions about how to encourage a positive group atmosphere. It can also help them think through what to do when challenges occur.
In this practical, highly interactive workshop, participants will have an opportunity to increase their understanding of group dynamics; learn strategies which encourage group productiveness and a healthy group atmosphere; and analyze how challenging situations can be appropriately handled.
Who Should Attend:
Because group dynamics is influenced both by the way a program is designed and by the way it is delivered, this workshop will be helpful to both instructors and instructional designers.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
- explain how to create an optimum climate for effective group learning;
- explain a model of group dynamics and apply it as a diagnostic tool;
- explain possible purposes of groups and the implications this has for the instructor and for the instructional design;
- identify observation possibilities in instructional settings;
- describe common issues which arise in instructional settings and appropriate strategies for dealing with them.
Pre-requisites:
Training Delivery Skills - Level 1
Recommended:
Training Delivery Skills - Level 2
Designing Effective Training Programs
Workshop Length:
2 days
The Integration Seminar
This interactive 1-day workshop invites participants to "put it all together" - to integrate and apply what they have learned about instructional design and delivery in a practical, hands-on way.
Participants will have an opportunity to deliver a 15 - 20 minute instructional practice session and to receive detailed, structured feedback from both their colleagues and the instructor in a supportive environment. In addition, skills of observation and analysis will also be practiced through observing and providing feedback on other participants' sessions.
In order to devote the maximum amount of time to each participant's practice session, advance preparation is required. Instructions will be provided to help guide your preparation.
Pre-requisites:
Training Delivery Skills - Level 1
Designing Effective Training Programs
Recommended:
It is recommended that you take this workshop at the end of the series.
Workshop Length:
1 day
Instructor Profile
Reva Kalef has been involved in the field of adult education as an instructor, instructional designer and consultant since 1984. She works with post-secondary institutions, business & industry, government agencies and non-profit organizations. Reva specializes in assisting instructors and instructional designers in their ongoing professional development. She also works with individuals and groups in identifying solutions to training-related issues.
Reva is committed to helping adults feel that learning can be a useful, enjoyable and meaningful experience. She has dedicated the past many years of her professional life to assisting instructors, instructional designers and others associated with the training function, with this perspective in mind. Reva believes strongly in a colleagial atmosphere and is continually reminded of how much she has learned from those with whom she has had the privilege of working.
Reva holds an M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia.
Telephone Interviews
All participants will have a telephone interview with Reva prior to each workshop. In these interviews, participant's needs will be discussed, the workshop objectives will be covered and any questions will be addressed. The purpose of the telephone interviews is to ensure that the workshops will be as useful as possible for each participant.
Contacting Reva
If you have questions regarding the Trainer's Workshop Series, please contact Reva at:
It would be a pleasure to speak with you.
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