Designing a Microtraining session

Outline of the design

The target group has been selected and the topics and sub-topic have been determined. Now it is time to design a session. The design follows the following outline:

Make an active start

Activate the participants by choosing an inspiring and stimulating active start. Get them to reflect or compare by asking a question or put forward a proposition. It is important to link this active start with the goal of the session. For example:

“Do you know that our company wastes 1000 Euros per month by not being able to separate waste in a correct way.” Or more actively: “How much money do you think our company wastes by not being able to separate our waste in a correct way?” Or asking a question while showing a picture of some waste at your company: “Do you think this waste has been found in our company or elsewhere?” Or show the headline of a recent newspaper: Companies spoil hundreds of Euros by not separating their waste. “Is this also an issue in our company?”

Design your exercise

Think about an exercise that will encourage the participants to share knowledge on the sup-topic. Choose a form that works for you and the participants. Be inspired and creative, and have the courage to try something new. Prepare yourself well! 

Design a fill in assignment. Look for a picture (a problem with a product or in the process) to start the discussion. Describe a short role play. Think about the issue for mind mapping. Ask an open-ended question and invite the participants to write their answers on post-its. Invite the participants to interview each other in pairs on a certain question. Stand beside a machine and ask an employee to demonstrate a certain action.

Facilitate discussion

By asking question, you can check whether the participants have understood the aim of the exercise. Give feedback during the discussion. Make it easy for all the participants to be actively involved. By receiving positive feedback the participants will feel rewarded. Think in advance what questions can be raised and how you will deal with new issues being addressed in the discussion.

Allow all the participants to take the floor. Sometimes it is difficult for people to ask questions. Ask participants who are usually in the background some questions to make them feel at ease. Ask for their opinion, and their experiences.

How to continue

What are you going to do with the results of the exercise and the discussion? Prepare yourself with some ideas. Invite participants during the session to come up with new ideas on how to retain the knowledge and learn more about on the sup-topic.