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How to run a Training Needs Assessment (tips + templates)

A training needs assessment (TNA) is a process through which training program designers come to define key elements of a future learning intervention (could be a class, course, program, experience, workshop). The main aim of a training needs assessment is to clarify a current and desired state of things, and understand how to bridge the gap between the two. In this guide, we'll explore how to run a training needs assessment and share tips on how to use the information you receive and make this the basis of an effective learning solution. Training needs assessments come in many shapes and sizes. Let’s say, for example, that legislation which impacts your…

What is instructional design? (+ examples and tips!)

Instructional design is a systematic and theory-backed approach to creating engaging and impactful learning experiences. Whether you’re designing eLearning courses or employee training programs, effective instructional design is a surefire method of meeting business goals and developing effective learning solutions. But what is instructional design exactly? In this guide, we'll start with a practical definition of instructional design. We'll explore the role of instructional designers, learning models and theories, and also share real-world examples and best practices to help you craft more effective learning experiences. What is instructional design? Instructional design is a systematic process of designing and developing effective instructional materials and learning experiences. Instructional design involves analyzing learner…

A screenshot of learners on an online course.

How to create an effective instructional design storyboard

A well-structured instructional design storyboard is the foundation of any successful online course or elearning project. It forms a blueprint that allows everyone involved in the project to understand the learning flow, offer contributions and then implement the design in your elearning authoring tool with ease.In this guide, we'll share a complete process for creating effective elearning storyboards. We've included tips for the course design process and a heap of instructional design storyboard templates to help you optimize your elearning development process. Let's dive in. What is an instructional design storyboard? An instructional design storyboard serves as a design blueprint for an instructional design project or elearning course. This typically…

How to apply instructional design models to learning design

How do you start to design an education program? Before any great training course, there were a bunch of sketches in a learning designer’s notebook. Instructional Design Models are frameworks that support learning designers in making sure the products they create are fit for purpose. Think of them as the outline behind those initial sketches. In this article, we will look at 9 models of instructional design. First we will go through some of the best-known traditional models: ADDIE, Dick and Carey’s model, and SAM. Next, we will add some insights from dynamic training learning models. We will continue with 3 instructional design models focussing on how to make sure…

9 Instructional design principles and how to use them

Robert Gagne’s instructional design principles were first proposed in 1965. Though the world has changed a lot in that time, the way we learn is fundamentally the same. Together, these nine principles are a science-backed framework for creating effective learning experiences, whatever your learning format. Whether you’re creating elearning courses, training sessions or working in blended environments, this guide will help you understand how to deploy these instructional strategies and engage your learners. We’ll explore each principle in turn and provide practical examples and advice for applying them in your instructional design process. Good instructional design is an art and a science. Even if you’re new to learning design, chances…

How to Master Blended Learning Design (for Learning that Sticks!)

Blended learning design has emerged as a key trend in education in the post-pandemic world. It means creating courses that combine elements of asynchronous and synchronous learning. Parts of the course's learning activities will be accessible to learners as online resources. Others will be delivered synchronously, which might mean in person or through online workshops. Even for expert trainers and learning designers, developing a blended learning course can be a daunting experience. Combining such disparate elements in a coherent whole that leverages the best of each, for learning that sticks, requires thoughtful planning and design. In this article, we’ll look at the key elements for creating excellent blended learning experiences.…

Photograph of participants playing a training game.

24 engaging training games and activities

Creating the ideal conditions for learning isn’t easy. Trainers need to balance information sharing and theory with experiential activities in order to create effective learning experiences. Training games are a great way to engage trainees with interactive activities that help facilitate the learning process. In this guide, we'll share our favourite training activities alongside tips for engaging trainees. You'll leave with practical ideas for improving your next employee training and add new methods to your toolkit. Let’s dive in! What are training games and activities? Training games and activities are interactive activities designed to engage trainees and create a more memorable and engaging learning experience. These games are experiential in…

A guide to hybrid event planning and hybrid facilitation

Trainers and facilitators around the world have been experimenting with hybrid event planning in earnest and the results are in: it is possible to facilitate engaging, participatory conversations with groups of people joining in different ways. This honest* guide to hybrid event planning and hybrid facilitation has all you need to aim for success in this novel environment. Learn how to plan, design and run effective hybrid events with examples from people who have run and participated in this hybrid environment. This honest guide to hybrid event planning is packed with practical tips, insights and information to get you started setting up, designing and running successful hybrid events. First of all,…

How Thrive Impact uses SessionLab to help NGOs create sustainable change

Thrive Impact is an agency whose mission is to solve nonprofit leader burnout and enable NGOs to enact meaningful change. They’ve helped more than 50 organizations increase revenue, realize positive culture change and create sustainable impact.CEO Tucker Wannamaker and the 10-person team at Thrive Impact use SessionLab to support their process and design the workshops and training sessions that form the foundation of much of the work they do. Let’s explore how SessionLab helps Tucker and his team create impactful learning experiences and save time in their design process. Designing engaging learning flows Whether it’s guiding a team through a strategic planning session or running NGO leadership training, the journey…

How to plan and run a virtual workshop

Virtual workshops are a powerful tool for bringing together participants from around the world and collaboratively achieving your goals. But how do they work? What are the best practices for running engaging virtual sessions that keep Zoom fatigue at bay and create genuine innovation and solve problems? Whether you're a team leader, business professional, or facilitator, knowing how to plan and run a virtual workshop effectively is a valuable skill in today's digital landscape. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through how to run a virtual workshop that is engaging and impactful. What is a virtual workshop? A virtual workshop is an interactive and collaborative process that is conducted…

13 Best Meeting Management Software For Effective Meetings

Good meetings make your work easier, not harder. They help teams remove blockers, get stuff done and feel more aligned. Done well, meetings can become the beating heart of an effective organization. But how? Whether you're a project manager or team leader, the right meeting management software can make managing efficient meetings easy and save you valuable time. In this guide, we'll explore the best meeting management software, each offering unique features to help you plan, execute, and optimize your meetings effectively. Good meetings are how the best teams align, make decisions and discuss what's important to them. The majority of employees spent up to one third of their work…

40 Brilliant Large Group Games for 20+ people!

If you are running a small meeting or group workshop you probably have your favorite group activities that are easy to run and have proven to be effective in the past. But what about when your group size balloons to 20-40+ people? That's when well-designed large group games come into their own! These activities create space for fun and play in big teams, whatever your environment. In this post, we'll share our favorite large group games alongside tips for running them too! Whenever you design a session, you'll want to consider the number of participants so you can plan activities appropriately. With very large groups, it gets harder to involve…

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