To present a great training course you need to be prepared and be comfortable with the information you are passing on. You need to be well versed in the topic yourself and fully prepared for questions. You also need to be able to present the training in a way that is clear and concise, and helps the trainees improve their skills. Training other people is a skill in itself, but one that can be taught. Undertaking a course like a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment can help you present a great training course.
1. Preparation and Professionalism
You need to be prepared. Make sure you understand everything about the subject you are teaching. Study your notes and be prepared for questions. Also be prepared to be flexible while conducting the training course as your method of teaching may have to adapt to those you are training. For example, some people learn better with visual clues, while others can happily sit and be lectured to and retain all the information. Make sure that you are familiar with the space that you are presenting the course in and that you have any equipment that you need ready beforehand. If you are using computers or presenting slides, for example, then make sure you know how to use this equipment and that it is working properly. You also need to be professional when conducting the training, so knowing your topic is vital, and you also need to speak clearly, use good grammar and not use any slang words.
2. Timing
You will have a set amount of time given for your training course, whether it is an hour, a full day or even a week. When you are planning your course work out the timing of your presentation and make sure you pace yourself. Don’t fly through the information and present it too quickly otherwise you will not only be finished too early, but you also might not cover the topic properly and leave your trainees confused. Make sure you don’t speak too quickly otherwise you will be hard to understand, and also make sure you don’t bombard your audience with information. Give them time to digest what you are teaching them. Don’t just stand and lecture to them. Break up your course by including interactive elements. Have them work in pairs or groups to solve problems and do their course work. Make sure the focus isn’t always on you otherwise your course will become boring.
3. Participation
Prepare a written plan for your training course but don’t tie yourself to it. Be flexible and allow the participants of the course to help guide the training. They may be a group that likes to ask lots of questions, so make sure you allow for this. It may mean that you skip over certain points and pick them up at a later stage. Remember that the training course is for the trainees so let them dictate to some extent as to the direction the course takes. Encourage input from your trainees as they may have some new information and knowledge about the subject that is of benefit to everyone, even you.
