So maybe you didn’t like One Eyed Booger Face (OEBF) blog that much. Maybe you were offended by it.
Did it make you think?
How often have we been bored to tears in training classes by facilitators who didn’t know, and, moreover, did not care about their audiences.
One of the most effective techniques to connect with learners is to look them in the eyes. Oh, you know about eye contact?
Try this. Think about each individual in the class. Don’t think of them as a room of people, a group or a class. If you were having a conversation with one of those people, how would you speak differently? How would you communicate information, give instructions or respond to questions? How long would you hold eye contact with an individual?
Most facilitators do not hold eye contact long enough to make individuals feel part of the session. Hold eye contact for 6 seconds. Practice. Does it feel strange? Do you feel your eyes darting away? Are you thinking about the individual to whom you are speaking? Cut it back to 4 seconds if you just can’t stand it.
The important part of training facilitation occurs in our hearts and minds. When we, as facilitators, are thinking about what is going on in our own head, we forget about those who are supposed to learn. Make a commitment to bring an attitude of caring for individuals into every classroom. Talk to people, not to classrooms. Look at people, not audiences.
Try not to be an OEBF. Please.
© Linda M. Farley LMF@onr.com
Follow Me on Twitter:
artwork (c) 2009 Andrew Farley
