Photo by: Ahmadmahmood via Canva
Have you ever started a road trip without a map or GPS, thinking you’d just figure it out along the way? The chances of getting lost—or at least delayed—are pretty high. Teaching without an agenda can feel a lot like that. Yogi Berra captured this perfectly when he said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
As a new instructor, one of the most effective tools you can use in your training room is a well-structured agenda. An agenda not only helps you stay organized, but it also enhances the learning experience for your participants.
Here’s why:
Outlines Clear Expectations
An agenda outlines the structure of your lesson, allowing learners to know what to expect. When learners see the roadmap for the session, they feel more confident and prepared, reducing anxiety about what’s coming next.
Ensures Time Management
With an agenda, you can better manage your time. It helps you pace your lessons, ensuring that you cover all key points without rushing or leaving out important content.
Keeps Participants Engaged
An agenda serves as a visual for transitions between topics, maintaining your learners’ attention. Participants are more likely to stay focused if they know how the training day will unfold.
Provides Flexibility in Teaching
Agendas don’t have to be rigid. Don’t include the timeframes, just the order. This way you and the learners don’t feel boxed in if one task or topic is a higher priority.
Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or virtually, an agenda will benefit both you and your learners by promoting clarity, structure, and engagement. Make it part of your instructional practice!
Additional Resource: How to Stay Organized and Engage Learners with an Agenda [Video]
For a simple, yet effective, recipe that guarantees the transfer of skills back on the job, the How Adults Learn workshop is exactly what you need. Learn how to create an environment that motivates learners, adjust your course design and delivery, dig below surface-level questions to encourage deeper learning, and more.
