Instructional Techniques For New Instructors

For trainers (and people asked to train) who have less than one year of experience in traditional classroom course delivery and who have no formal training in instructional techniques for in-person training.

• Apply principles of adult learning.
• Write instructional objectives.
• Start a course with high impact.
• Determine course content.
• Select instructional methods.
• Deliver lectures properly.
• Develop exercises and tests.
• Administer exercises and tests.
• Give demonstrations.
• Establish an effective relationship with learners.
• Hold participants’ attention and interest.
• Obtain and give feedback on learner progress.
• Employ effective speaking skills.
• Handle problem participants and situations.
• Ask and answer questions properly.
• “Read” the group and adjust to their needs.
• Manage time effectively during instruction.
• Deal with your own nervousness and anxiety.
• Promote learner participation.
• Establish a good climate for learning.
• Apply techniques to increase learner motivation.
• Build fun into your courses (without going too far).
• Use small-group activities effectively.
• Set up a classroom properly.
• Use audio-visual aids professionally.

Although this course is for instructors rather than designers, note that 4 of the objectives listed focus on design. We consider it essential for instructors to know how to apply fundamental design principles.

Session 1

• 7 vital facts about how adults learn.
• An easy-to-use 6-step strategy for structuring your courses.
• How a lesson should flow.
• All you need to know about course objectives.
• How to spot weak objectives.
• How to write objectives properly.
• 7 WIIFM techniques for presenting benefits to learners.
• A simple method for determining course content.
• The type of content that should not be included in a course.

Session 2

• How to ensure learners practice what they learn.
• 50 instructional methods you can use.
• How to select the most appropriate instructional methods.
• How to make sure learners succeed.
• The best way to provide feedback to learners.
• Guidelines for conducting meaningful reviews and summaries.

Session 3

• 14 tips for a dynamic speaking style.
• Techniques to improve your vocal inflection.
• When to be dynamic and energetic versus relaxed and easy-going.
• How to use gestures to reinforce your message.
• How to sustain eye contact with learners.
• Over 25 tips on speaking skills.
• How to ask questions.
• The best type of question and the one type of question to avoid.
• 7 tips for answering questions professionally.
• What to do if you don’t know an answer.
• How to handle incorrect answers.
• 15 tips to stay on schedule and avoid time wasters.
• How to minimize nervousness and anxiety.

Session 4

• How to create a great climate for learning.
• A proven approach for starting a course on the right track.
• How to make a strong first impression.
• Simple techniques to get everyone to participate.
• 8 laws of classroom motivation.
• How to increase learners’ enthusiasm.
• How to create and maintain a fun learning environment.
• What to do when learners have varied backgrounds.
• Simple ways to read a group.
• An arsenal of techniques for handling problem people.
• How to stay in control during difficult situations.

Session 5

• Practice all workshop skills in a truly realistic setting.
• Receive feedback from our course leader and your peers.
• Learn from observing your peers.
• Practice giving feedback on peer performance.

Note: An additional after-hours practice opportunity in the virtual classroom will be available for learners to schedule between sessions 1 and 5.

• All the worksheets, checklists, and forms in Microsoft® Word template format. Simply download them from your personal My Langevin website.
• 90-day access to all recorded online sessions.
• Free 1-year feedback service. Send us a recording of yourself instructing and we will give you detailed feedback to further develop your skills.  

This week-long workshop consists of 5 highly interactive synchronous sessions. During the live online sessions, you will spend time learning how to facilitate highly engaging and successful traditional classroom training. You’ll prepare a short lesson of your own and deliver it to your peers. Expect many opportunities to explore, share, and practice using the best techniques in the industry. Also, 4 to 6 hours will be required for intersession work.

Maximum Class Size: 15 participants (We limit class size to ensure maximum value and participation for our clients.)

• Log in to the Adobe Connect platform using the link that will be sent prior to your workshop.
• Expect an engaging, highly interactive, hands-on workshop with plenty of practice opportunities using breakout rooms, chat, polls, whiteboard annotation tools, etc.
• Review recordings of each session for up to 3 months after the workshop ends.