Workshop for Teachers Part 2

On 23^rd June 2011, my college classmate and I conducted a workshop for kindergarten teachers. In this post, I will be sharing some of the preparatory work that needs to be planned or done for a workshop.

1.       Choose the Topic/Theme and Objectives

For the workshop I conducted, the topic was on learning environment. It was a diagnostic topic as my college classmate and I had a trip to the kindergarten classrooms and met some teachers before the workshop. We found that a workshop on the learning environment would be beneficial. Our workshop was titled, “The learning environment as the second teacher” (The teachers do not have assistant teachers). After choosing the theme, plan objectives for the workshop. It is best to have no more than 3 objectives. The objectives help the trainer to keep to the content of the workshop. The objectives also aid the learners in knowing what to expect and in filling the evaluation form.  

2.       Create the Programme

The porgramme should include time for lecture, activities, game/s, break/s, meal time/s (tea break/lunchbreak), logistics, and person in-charge and so on.

Mini Sample:

Overall Programme
Time	Programme	In-charge	Logistics	Venue
9am	Welcome	A and B	Laptop Screen Projector	Auditorium
9.15am	Ice Breaker Games	A and B	Ball Strings	Auditorium
9.45am	Lecture 1: How to draw?	A	Laptop Screen Projector Notes	Auditorium
10.15am	Discussion: Crayon or water colour? Which is better?	A and B	Large paper Writing materials	Auditorium
10.45am	Field Trip: Looking at Art	A and B	Notes	Classrooms

When creating the programme, remember to include a variety of learning experiences for all types of learners (auditory, visual and kinesthetic). This would also prevent learners from going ZZZzzzzz… Plan the programme with thought, to ensure that the learners’ energy levels are regulated well.

A well detailed programme will help the speakers/trainers stay on track with the programme. It also helps the trainers prepare well for the programme in terms of logistics, person in-charge and venue.  

3.       The Power Point Presentation

Whatever mode of presentation, the presenter should take note that there must a balance of words and pictures or graphics. Too many words will overwhelm the learner and too many graphics will leave the learner guessing the content. If you choose to use more than 50% of graphics, talk the content out and print the slides into hardcopy notes format for the learners so as they can take notes as you speak. Think and learn from Steve Jobs (Creator of Apple) in terms of presentation.

4.       Carry yourself as a Professional, yet Engage, Relate and Connect to the learner

During the workshop, be mindful of your content and context. Speak well, clearly and take extra effort to ensure that the learners understand what you are saying. Engage the learner with good humor, relate to them your own experiences and connect the theory to their experiences. This will break the barrier of the trainer being seen as just the ‘professional’ or ‘academician’ who talks all the theory stuffs.  The trainer will have a more human or real life image to the learner when he/she engages, relates and connects to them.

5.       Evaluation Form

This is ever so important. An evaluation form is not just about evaluating the success of the workshop. In addition, it helps the trainer to learn and reflect. Just as the trainer plan for the learners of the workshop, the end of the workshop is the time when the trainer reflects most and learns from the workshop too. Hence, the evaluation form is the key to the trainer’s learning.  

Create an evaluation form that is simple and quick. Use ratings instead of lines for the evaluator to write sentences. Evaluation forms which requires writing is a turn off. Nonetheless, have some lines available at the end of the evaluation form with the header titled, ‘any other feedback’, for those who wish to do some writing. Keep the evaluation form short and one page as much as possible.

I hope these ‘tips’ come in handy for those conducting or planning to conduct workshops. I had an enriching and successful experience conducting the workshop.  I look forward to conducting more workshops for educators J