Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/2582
the quarterly magazine of ILTA 15 Peer to Peer ASK THE vEndOR T rainers are discovering that staff members no longer have large chunks of time for classroom learning sessions in the middle of their busy work schedules. Many instructors have resorted to breaking training periods into shorter sessions or holding open-ended, informal question-and-answer get-togethers with the lure of doughnuts and coffee. We went to some experts to see how they get the most out of their training time. With distance and online learning, maximize the one- to-many relationship. draw on web conferencing technology that users are already accustomed to. If the firm doesn't have a web conferencing solution, there are several free or inexpensive applications available. The bonus is being able to record and reuse the session. For even greater impact, streamline online sessions to focus on a specific task or process with the bonus that the task addresses a specific business need. Develop short sessions to have a direct impact on efficiency. Cut development time with third-party solutions that allow training staff to focus on direct user support and development of specialty training content. ashley taylor traveling coaches, inc. Getting the latest and greatest software can be a great experience for training departments in law firms if you spend the time upfront on a solid curriculum outline. Keeping the topics focused on what the audience does on an everyday basis and avoiding features they are not likely to use will pay huge dividends in the long run. It's not easy to do, but keeping the "extras" out of the class will keep your training time down and will lift the audience's interest. And don't forget to keep it relevant and make it fun. donna Payne Payne consulting Group Here are four practical tips: • choose your topics wisely. Try to focus on what matters to the leaner — not to you. Sound obvious? You'd be surprised. • Pick a path and stick to it. Learners don't need to know the three or four different ways to get something done. Teach them one way, and let them discover the others on their own. • after you've completed your outline, ask yourself "what can i cut without sacrificing the overall value of the course?" Rinse and repeat until you've honed your message down to the essential information your learners need. • align your message across all your delivery mechanisms, including the classroom, your documentation, e-learning and support. Repeating and reinforcing best practices is the simplest way to modify learner's behavior. Learned habits become routine. ILTA Jeffrey Roach encoretech, inc. if you're interested in directing a question to the vendor community, submit your ideas to editor@iltanet.org. what suggestions do you have to maximize training in a minimum amount of time?