Boyink! - Spring Forward on the Web

As many of you know, I’m putting together the first Classroom Training for ExpressionEngine.  I’m elbows-deep in books about ice-breakers, group activities, and becoming an “instant trainer”. 

Trouble is, most of the resources I was able to get from the local library are a bit aged - at least in terms of the internet era.  While many of the fundamentals are still solid, many of the ideas and examples are showing their age (like - forming a line and giving a shoulder massage to the person in front of you…).

So I’m looking for your stories and comments.  If you’ve been to any kind of training - software training especially - recently, what do you remember from it?  Were there exercises or class activities that really drove the point home for you? 

Conversely - was there anything that had you furiously writing a small novel on the feedback form?  Total disasters, train wrecks, equipment failures, awkward moments—dish me some dirt!

Comments are closed, but you can read the comments other people left.

1. Josh on August 16, 2008

   Mike,

   This is thoughtful of you to propose this question for your upcoming seminar.

   I think one of the more annoying things that can happen at seminars is when people ask questions about material that lies outside the scope of the training session. For instance your class is about EE not how to write HTML and how t make css work etc.

   I think it’s also advantageous to ask at the beginning what is important to the majority of the class and tailor the sessions a bit toward the students needs.

   Overall I like it when training is broken up into various segments. Being lectured to for more than 45min at one time is tiring for the presenter and the student. So having a rhythm is cool. Ex:
   Lecture, Hands On, Discussion, Break, Lecture, Hands On, Discussion, Break.

   Hope this helps. I think you will be a good instructor from the precedent you set with your training online!

   Hope that helps a bit,
   Josh Rubinstein

2. Boyink (Author) on August 16, 2008

   Thanks Josh!  All good stuff…

3. Todd on August 19, 2008

   Hello Mike,

   I have attended a few conferences around the country. Most of them in Vegas. I think the biggest train-wreck is when a presenter tries to be something they are not. I would try to keep in mind that the attendees are not necessarily looking for entertainment… but rather interested in learning new things about ExpressionEngine. I have listened to all your screencasts about EE and you have a nice, natural way of expressing yourself. Don’t try to be somebody else… just be yourself. If you get fielded a question that you don’t know the answer to… direct back to the class.  Oftentimes someone in attendance will have a solution that you have yet to consider.  Handling questions this way… makes everyone in the class a part-time teacher too.  Since none of us know it all… we benefit from the insights and participation of others.  Don’t stress too much.  Be yourself, be natural and have fun.  Expect some disruptions in the class and don’t try to control the crowd.  Just laugh when they laugh and be patient with those personality types that need to be the ‘class clown’. I’m hoping to be there… and wish you the best!

4. Boyink (Author) on August 19, 2008

   Thanks Todd - I appreciate the comments and hope to see you there!

5. Daniel on August 21, 2008

   M,

   I took a number of Macromedia (when it was Macromedia)training classes a few years back in Addison, Texas with a company called http://www.Digitrain.com. One good idea I came away with was at the beginning of class the instructor tells everyone to write down their questions during class as they come up in their mind, and then either during class or after class get those questions answered. If their question(s) happen to get answered during class they mark it off, otherwise the students have them on paper so they won’t forget to ask about them later when time permits.

   The funny thing about people is that unless you tell them they need to take notes or should be writing things down generally they won’t.

6. Boyink (Author) on August 21, 2008

   Thanks Daniel - I’ll add that to my list of stuff for the class.

7. Ty on August 25, 2008

   Hi Mike, just present the training like you are doing a screencast sort of. Don’t fall into the trap of bashing other CMS products or you will get people defending those products that they may have a bit of experience with. I went to a conference one time, and the guys presentation was impromptu, and the guy wound up praising Fireworks over Photoshop, not very educational, and it made me a little defensive and got me off track of the learning experience. Pointing out the pitfalls of other CMS products might be a distraction.
   I’m sure you’ll do great.

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