Assessing training needs quickly
Abstract
Knowing what your training participants already know and expect to learn during a session will help ensure everyone leaves with new skills or information. This effective practice suggests using a three-step activity at the beginning and end of the session to quickly assess participants' training needs. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) AmeriCorps program shared this activity at the AmeriCorps Direct Best Practices Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in April 2005. Consult the source document for more information.Issue
Trainings should provide participants with new, applicable information and skills without spending time on information they already know. However, sometimes trainers aren't able to conduct a formal needs assessment before the training begins.Action
Use the following activity to quickly gauge member needs before a training:
"KWL" ACTIVITY:
The acronym KWL stands for:
- Things you already know
- Things you want to know
- What you learned during the training
Materials needed:
- Post-It notes in three different colors
- Flip chart paper with three columns for K, W, and L
- Dark pens and markers
- The exercise consists of two parts: the "know" and "want to know" are covered in the beginning of the session, and what was "learned" is reviewed at the conclusion.
- Begin the exercise by explaining the purpose of the activity, which is to tailor the session to build on participants' knowledge, provide information they seek, and to test your effectiveness as a presenter.
- Give each participant nine Post-It notes, three of each color. Each color represents K, W, or L and should be marked with the appropriate letter.
- Ask participants to write down three ideas they "know" and "want to know" about the session topic with one idea per Post-It note. Explain that the "Learned" part will be addressed later.
- Collect the notes and group similar thoughts together on the flip chart. Review what participants "know," acknowledging ideas that are accurate and gently correcting inaccuracies. Review what participants "want to know," indicating which questions will be covered in the session. If there are questions you cannot answer, place the Post-It note in a parking lot section of the flip chart with a promise to get the information and share it at a later date.
- At the end of the session, review the "W"s to see if all of the questions have been answered. Ask participants to write three things they learned during the session on their remaining three "L" Post-It Notes. Post the "Learned" notes on the flip chart and debrief.
Context
The Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC) AmeriCorps program uses the KWL activity with members during pre-service orientation to find out what members already know about the program and national service.
LISC AmeriCorps operates in 10 cities nationwide. Members serve in community development corporations to help promote volunteerism and civic engagement by encouraging neighbors to take active roles in helping to transform the communities in which they live.
Citation
Jones, Pearl and Stacey Rapp. KWL Exercise. Local Initiatives Support Corporation. April 19, 2005.
Outcome
The KWL activity helps the trainer understand the members' level of understanding about the LISC program and national service during orientation. It also helps clear up misconceptions members may have upon entering the program.Posted On
July 5, 2005For More Information
Resources
Pike, Bob. 101 Games for Trainers. Lakeswood Books, Minneapolis, MN, 1995.
VanGundy, Arthur. 101 Great Games & Activities. Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, San Francisco, CA, 1998.
Solem, Lynn, and Bob Pike. 50 Creative Training Closers. Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, San Francisco, CA, 1997.
Davies, Rex and David McDermott. Mind-Opening Training Games. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1994.
McKay, Emily Gantz, et al. Starting Strong: A Guide to Pre-Service Training. Mosaica, Washington D.C., 1996.