Summarize Learning with the Inverted Pyramid Strategy

Try this simple summarization activity at your next in-person or virtual training session. 

Ask everyone to draw an inverted pyramid with four horizontal lines, as in the photo.
 
Direct them to think about the topic and what will be most important to remember. Then ask them to write a five-word summary on the top line, a four-word summary on the next, continuing on each line with 3, 2, and 1. 

Give participants about a minute to complete the task, asking them to stand quietly when they have finished. Once you have everyone standing, ask them to partner up with someone and share their Pyramid Summary. 

Virtual Variation – Ask each person to type their summaries into the chat box or to take a photo and email it to you. 

Simple, easy strategies can often be the best! No need to spend long hours creating activities when ideas like this are so effective! For more practical ideas, check out my book Caffeinated Training Design. 
 

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