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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Train, No Gain, March 20, 2008
This review is from: Training For Dummies (Paperback)
One of the pitfalls of being a training specialist for such a long time is that it is easy to become complacent with your knowledge level and your writing habits. "Training for Dummies," which should be titled "Training for Schmarties" is one of those books that will help you avoid that. Author, Elaine Biech covers the instructional systems design model (ISD) or A.D.D.I.E., in detail. These are analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. She states the difference between what it means to be a teacher vs. being a trainer. This is one of the only texts I have seen that offers some construction of an instructional design draft, although I wish she would have shown and explained a two-column format in depth. She did provide samples of a three- and four-column format. Biech goes into overdrive regarding implementation from room set-up, the things that could go wrong, dealing with nervousness, and handling the disruptive influence, all types of them, to mention just a few. She also covers the four (or five if you prefer) levels of evaluation superbly. One area I was hoping that she would address is how trainers can deal with managers who make disastrous training decisions that will be a supreme waste of time and money, but will blame the trainer rather than recognizing their decision as the reason for failure. (I was once asked to do training to control or reduce absenteeism. Thank God, he had a poor memory)! This is a constant uphill battle for trainers and I see half-hearted training efforts squandered on almost a weekly basis. (If you're out there reading this, no, you can't have Team Building in only one day Why? Because it's not enough time to build teams, dummy)! I have a few dozen texts on training. If you could only have one of them, this would be the one I would give you. If you're serious about training, it is one book you need to keep on your table instead of your shelf. Remember... No train, no gain. P.S. Don't get overconfident if you have a full seminar in Hawaii or Scottsdale, AZ. They might have other reasons for being there.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Even If You ARE Smart..., September 11, 2005
This review is from: Training For Dummies (Paperback)
Most of the time, people asked to conduct a training event or to become trainers are really smart, really good at what they do, and want to help others become good also. Where the perception that these smart people are "dummies" comes is from the stupid things they do in class, in their small group demonstration sessions, conducting on the job training, or in one-on-one mentoring. It has always amazed me that otherwise smart people can be so dumb when it comes to teaching others what they know. TRAINING FOR DUMMIES comes to the rescue with a plethora of advice, helpful tools, and resources as well as a clear articulation of WHY you do something (or don't do it) when training. Using Gagne's Nine Instructional Events and other solid, research-based instructional models, TRAINING FOR DUMMIES provides anyone - from novice to experienced trainer - a clear roadmap to success as a trainer. DO NOT skim this book. Turn to the sections that fit your most pressing need (and there is a ton of them!) and read long, and read deep. Learn how to handle that challenging student as well as understand why that student may be exhibiting "dysfunctional" behaviors when you are working so hard to help them learn. Learn how to organize your thoughts, your interactions with the trainees, and all those things that successful trainers do. It is no wonder this book is endorsed by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), it works! Read it before EVERY class, after every class, and keep it by your bed. At night, read a paragraph or section before you go to bed. In the morning, read it before starting your day. Keep a learning journal nearby to write down questions, insights, or the many ideas TRAINING FOR DUMMIES will inspire. This is a VERY user-friendly book. Your trainees, students, bosses, and fellow trainers will be glad you read it and use its advice!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Training is NOT for Dummies, June 13, 2005
This review is from: Training For Dummies (Paperback)
Even a cursory reading of Training for Dummies should convince anyone that conducting good quality successful training is definitely not for the inexperienced. Step by step Elaine peels away the layers of good training to show the reader how it should be done. From the neophyte to seasoned professionals, there are training "gems" here for everyone. Training for Dummies starts those new to training with a review of adult learning theory and an exploration of the basic training cycle, assessing needs, and designing learning objectives. Moving on from theory to practice, Elaine offers a trainer's bible for delivering dynamic training sessions covering such topics as great training openers and making the best use of visuals and multi-media. One particularly helpful chapter deals with what to do when problems occur in the training room. We have all had those days when the room is cancelled, the projector bulb goes out, or there is one person in the group that is intent on making our day miserable. Numerous problem scenarios and strategies for dealing with them are offered. Making training interesting and fun is a theme that runs throughout the book. Elaine's mandate to trainers is clear: training should not be boring. In the final section of her book, she offers six chapters full of ideas you can put to immediate use to energize your training. It is evident that Elaine has years of training behind her in writing this book. She shares so many of the tips that have made her a recognized master trainer that I would recommend keeping a notebook nearby to glean some of her best ideas. When you integrate these into your next training event, you and your learners will experience the difference. Davis E. Froeber President, Intercultural Dimensions
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