The Learning Stool

Often after I present or teach in the University a trainee will come up and talk about how much they want to do what I do. I enjoy the conversation because the "up front" part of what I do as an instructor is only 1/3 of the total picture. I often ask the individual if they really know what they would be getting themselves into to have the chance to stand in front of a group and impart some learning. I believe that people do not appreciate the art form of instruction yet love the sex appeal of public speaking.

The rules of instruction are built around three principles that I call the Learning Stool. Picture a three legged stool. The flat seat on the top we will call "Learning". To hold up the seat of learning you have to have three legs. Any less and the stool falls. You can have more but three is an efficient answer.

The three legs are equal in length, strength and importance. All of them must carry a load to have the seat hold the weight of the learner. Let’s look at the three legs:

1. Curriculum Development: The rule is 3 hours of preparation for every hour in the classroom. You need to have more knowledge; activities and insight then you could ever share to reflect the confidence and expertise to the class. Without that depth you will sound and actually be flat, shallow and defensive with your classroom to make sure you are not uncovered. Know your material and get certified as a trainer before you pose yourself as one.

2. Instruction: Most people want the seat of learning to be supported by this leg alone. This is without question the best part of training. Having natural skills are important here yet understanding the tool box of a trainer and how to use these items is critical to creating a classroom environment that makes an impact. Tools in the box are as mundane as markers, flip charts, tests and notes and as cool as video, online learning, high ropes courses and field experience. Any way you slice it as an instructor you not only have to know how to speak. You have to know how to Pace Learning, Question for Understanding, Read your individuals in an audience and bring the lecture or learning experience home on time and on point. The most important part though is you have to care. Care about the content and the participants. "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

3. Assessment: The final and often missed element is the most important element to your learner. You could have the best curriculum and be the best instructor but if you have no way to give the learner recognition or credit for what they have done the learner will leave frustrated and feeling undervalue. If the class is worth preparing for and attending then it is worth measuring in some way. A certificate, grade, test and acknowledgment are critical if you want the knowledge remembered and practiced later. Make sure your assessment is timely, fair and complete and you will have raving fans of your training for years to come. Make it just about the Presentation and you will have people resent you.

The three legs are critical. All need to be firmly developed if you want to be a great trainer. When you have developed those three areas then your learner will come and sit on your stool of learning with confidence knowing that the stool will hold up to the rigors of learning.