Step 3: Learn the best practices of PD

A few years back I was watching a TedTalk by David JP Phillips called How to avoid death by PowerPoint. We have all been there–A PowerPoint-driven presentation or workshop that almost brought on a full existential crisis. Herein lies the issue. Using PowerPoint doesn’t make a good presentation. Using it with presentation best practices makes a good presentation. 

PowerPoint should not have become the go-to for running a meeting or a workshop. If you are giving a workshop, you are the focus of attention. Not the screen with the words on it. You are what brings meaning to the words and images displayed. 

Using graphics for concepts is a best practice. Using graphics with words and talking while you direct people to read the screen is not a best practice. 

When it comes to designing and delivering professional development sessions, pick a framework that incorporates best practices. Here are a few actionable things to get you started designing focused workshops or training.

• Intentional Collaboration: When you ask people to collaborate, don’t just ask them to discuss something. Turning and talking to a partner is level one of this. Amp it up by having them work towards a goal you establish. Show them there is an actionable means to their conversation by setting goals or presenting problems to solve.  
• Content Focused: Learning things that don’t relate to our reality or the tasks we perform won’t have an impact on behavior or beliefs. For all workers, and especially knowledge workers, the learning design needs to be modified to fit what they experience from day to day. If you are a teacher, you need to see the strategy in your content area. If you are a manager working on team building, you need to experience the team-building strategy.  Reading or hearing about a strategy or change to make does not make a change. It was just information. 
• Active Learning: Learners in all stages of life like to be active. Learners like to construct things. Even if it is a new design principle, have them work with it. Show them the idea. Show them what you want them to do. Have them try it. And then let them play with it. They will come up with new applications or other things you never considered. 

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These ideas may seem like no-brainers. In some ways they are. In many ways, they are not. These few ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Instead of getting lost in all of the ways to do PD the best, you need to focus on what the intended outcome is, what method of delivery will work best, and how these items fit into the experience you create. 

As a favorite failsafe, I start designing a session using the HDQR model from Robert Glaser. I partner this model with Dilts’ level of Learning and Change. These methods help me make sure I don’t miss elements of design that are essential to embedding new knowledge or fostering behavior change.

The purpose of these articles is to offer support. Our goal is to serve those who are in the shoes we once were. Reach out to us with any and all questions at info@agileideasleadership.com. No gimmicks. It’s free. ​

Cheers!
Ross Herdina, Co-Founder, Agile Ideas Leadership.
www.agileideasleadership.com