For the past few years, I have participated in training from the perspective of the trainer as opposed to that of the student.  Recently, I had the opportunity to be the student and it got me back to thinking about what it takes to keep the student engaged.  As trainers, we have all conducted classes where we walked away unsure of whether the class had an impact on the students.  As students, we have all experienced classes where we walked away feeling no more informed than when we began.

When someone is taking time out of their daily job to sit through training, they are often unable to leave behind their daily jobs.  Whether it is a ringing phone, an incoming email, or simply a wandering mind, the trainee often struggles with staying focused.  It is easy as the trainer to place the responsibility of focus on that of the trainee.  However, as the trainer, our job is to ensure that the material is learned.  Therefore, we must share the responsibility and help ensure focus.

In the training I recently attended, the instructor did a good job of maintaining the focus of the class.  The technique she used was to consistently and constantly call out the names of the trainees throughout the session.  It was as if she wasn’t teaching a class, but teaching to specific individuals.  “Now, Mary, let’s take a look here, and John, let’s go through this workflow.�  Whether I was engaged or not, she was constantly calling my name and reminding me that she was here to teach me.   In several instances, it brought me away from my incoming email or brought my mind back from thoughts of the next day’s email.

Another technique is a common one, but one that is easy to get away from practicing.  When teaching material, you can give the students a break from listening to you and give them hands-on exercises to complete.  The exercises should be very specific including details on the task you want the student to complete.  This allows them to “check� that they understood the material that was covered specifically the most important parts they will need to do their jobs.  These important parts should be incorporated into the exercises.

Sometimes it is good to go back to the role of the student in order to remember what you need to do as the teacher.  At least it was for me.