After Action Review
This method, developed by the US Army, will help you to understand how you have been able to achieve your goals and to reflect on how you can improve your plan of action.
Methods and Tools
6.3.5
This non-verbal brain storming method will generate a huge number of ideas within a short period of time.
Receiving and Evaluating Feedback
Tips for receiving and evaluating feedback.
Cornell Note-taking System
This note-taking method, originally developed at Cornell University, is recommended by many educational bodies.
Strengths and Pitfalls
This is a simpler version of Ofman’s core value model, which highlights the link between a person’s strengths and weaknesses. Being aware of one’s “pitfalls” helps to put to better use the underlying strengths.
Goal Pyramid
Preparing for change can be compared to a journey – the first step is to determine where you want to go to.
Active Reading (SQ3R – 5 steps Strategy)
Active reading strategies can significantly increase learning new information. This particular technique is adapted from the SQ3R reading method.
Flash
An easy to use tool for gaining feedback and increasing the participants’ co-responsibility.
Stage by Stage
A chronological presentation of the course content provides an opportunity to give a final review of what has been achieved.
Unfinished Sentences
This is an easy and effective method for getting feed back on the course.
A Part of Me
An easy method to use for making the beginning of the course more lively. It also works in groups where the participants are already familiar with each other.
Life Trees
This is an intensive and time consuming method for getting to know each other; therefore, it is only useful in situations where participants will spend a longer period of time together.
Mud Slinging
This method promotes “fixing things before they are broken”.
Fishbowl
A method for giving and receiving feedback in a group.
Partner Interview
This is an effective method for overcoming the stiffness typical when beginning work in groups where the participants are not familiar with each other.
Letter to Myself
The letters serve as a kind of contract with oneself that increases motivation to apply gained knowledge and skills to one’s own situation.
Detectives
This method takes away the attention from the trainer and provides space for the participants to share their expertise, thus demonstrating that their experience and knowledge is valued.
Examples from Life
Gained information is applied to real-life situations and gives the participants the possibility to relate the course content to their own experiences.
Perspectives
The goal of this method is to look at a specific problem from a variety of perspectives.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis is a widely used tool to analyse an organisation’s or product’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as looking at outside opportunities and threats.
Brainstorming
Tips for effective brainstorming.
Problem Solving in Three Steps
This approach will give structure to the problem solving process.
Evaluating Ideas
A guideline for selecting ideas, assessing their impact and creating a plan of action.
Moderation Cards
Moderation cards is a flexible tool that can be used in any situation where the trainer wishes to gain or summarise the group’s experience, opinions, questions, ideas, or suggestions
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is one of the most effective tools for structuring lines of thought. It can be used for any kind of planning, summarising of information, or presenting ideas and thoughts in a structured way.
Thinking Hats
This method facilitates group discussions by drawing attention to roles that should be covered when discussing problems and by ensuring that participants do not compete with each other but think in a similar direction.
Bee Hive
This method promotes interaction within the group, helps participants absorb the presented information, and gives them the opportunity to present their questions or further needs.
House, Tree, and a Dog
This is a highly entertaining exercise for breaking the ice, but it also highlights in a tangible way the problems involved in the collaboration process.
Learning Names
People will memorise all of the participants’ names in a short period of time.
Relating to the Topic
Besides getting to know each other, this method provides the trainer with some insights in the participants’ backgrounds, motivations, and interests. In addition, the participants start becoming familiar with the course content.
Introduction Round
The most common method for participants to introduce themselves.