ENGAGING ADULTS ON THE
PHONE, COMPUTER SCREEN,
TV MONITOR, LCD
FTTC--Pecha Kucha
Jim Sacco, M. S.W.
Engaging Learners in Distance
Learning Modalities is Tough
But Worth It!
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Invites application [beyond information exchange]
Must help retention
Engages learners in learning [set the agenda,
respond to questions/challenges]
Has potential to build connection
Don’t rely on formal ‘okay, now I have shown 125
slides, I’m taking questions’ break—the death rale
What about Connection with Learners?
Benefits of connecting to trainees…
Strategy One: Ask a Question
[Example: Barriers to Interactive Distance Learning]
Barriers for Learners
Barriers for Trainers
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Barriers for Learners
Barriers for Trainers
Strategy Two: Handout Confusion
Making Handouts Engaging
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Create a Word document [avoid ‘they could have
just mailed me the ________ slides; I can read.’]
Give more detail on handout
Put application activity into handouts
Include additional information
Encourage with doodling space
Strategy Three: Case Illustrations
Case Illustrations that Work
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Are written—not read
Have the right amount of detail
Are geared to the ‘middle’ of your learner’s
expertise
Have application goals in mind
Set up to have people succeed
Strategy Four:
Discussion with Technology
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Pay attention…
The guy from NWAETC…
Is really savvy…
And will tell you what you need to know…
Polling, Working Groups, Whiteboards, etc.
Better him than me!
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Find someone you don’t know…
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Turn to Your Neighbors
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What is valuable about incorporating discussion
in training?
How can this be done effectively?
Value of Discussion
Effective Conversations?
Strategy Five: Voting
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Engaging
Can be informative
Can be stupid
Can be overused—example: Audience Response
Systems
 Males
 Younger
trainers
Best Abs??
Mister A
Mister B
Should We Call on People?
Strategy Six: Live Demonstration
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Optimal way to teach skills
Increases ‘real World’ utility
Scripted vs Ad-libbed
Live vs taped
Strategy Seven: Videotape
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Quality varies greatly
Technological gaffs abound
Great strategy to ‘hear their stories’
Another way to demonstrate skills
Helps engaged learners with another
medium/messenger
Feeling Like I’ve Climbed…
…for this Pecha Kuchu