Blog Archives

Improving Communication One Map at a Time

7/27/2018

Learning teams come in all sizes. While the large audiences have an exciting energy, small groups allow for stronger connections and more individualized attention. Large audiences make it easier for participants to opt out of being engaged, while small groups can be dominated by a strong personality or negative attitude. Both sizes have their pros and cons, and strategies that work best for adult facilitation.

In a previous post, I shared some considerations for working with large audiences. Today, I want to share an app with you that can be extremely helpful when working with a small team, especially one that might be struggling to work together effectively. Equity Maps, as described on their site, is an app that helps you chart and record the interaction of group members and graphically illustrate levels of participation. It also analyzes the types of contributions made by each person. The instant analytics and animated playback can be used to engage everyone in deep reflection on team communication dynamics.

Equity Maps has a $2.99 iPad version with plenty of features for up to 20 participants, as well as a premium version for $6.99. App developers are currently working on an Android version and hope to have it out in 2019. While they began with a focus on K-12 learners, the app has been used with adults in all fields.

Here's a video demonstrating Equity Maps' features as well as some screen captures.

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Six Simple Celebrations for Your Next Training Course

7/8/2018

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Why save your celebrations for the end of your course? Mini-celebrations sprinkled throughout a learning experience spread the joy from start to finish. Stop thinking “party planning” and use the ideas below to begin thinking “cerebral celebrations.”

How To:

Reward your first volunteer of the day with a role of Lifesavers for being a … lifesaver! Keep PayDay candy bars on hand as another thank you gift for when a participant adds unique value to the day.
If you use a participant in a role-play or demonstration, ask everyone to give them a round of applause for being a good sport.
After partners have finished a task together, ask that they look at each other and say “Great work!”
When teams have finished a task, direct them to huddle up, put hands in the center and yell “TEAM” on the count of three.
Whenever a moment presents itself, be ready to start applauding. Your participants will follow your lead. (Universal Studios has their employees do this at the end of every ride.)
Cut giftwrap into 4 inch by 4 inch squares. Distribute the giftwrap and ask everyone to write a word of encouragement or inspirational quote on the back. Direct them to fold up the paper, stand up and swap three times around the room before opening their gift. Here are some of my favorite, inspirational quotes that I use in presentations.

Virtual Variation

If your platform has an applause feature, use it! If not, have a few slides in your collection that show applause or cheering. Build them into your slide deck at points where you plan to celebrate the learning.

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Improving Communication One Map at a Time

Six Simple Celebrations for Your Next Training Course

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