Since 1990, Mel Silberman's classic book, Active Training, has been a runaway best-seller for trainers at all levels and a popular text for university??level courses in adult education and training. The active training method—which turns the spotlight away from the instructor and puts the emphasis on the learner—has emerged over time as a proven and reliable method for enhancing involvement, learning, and change.

The third edition of Active Training, provides a thorough introduction to the core principles of active training design and delivery, and includes a wealth of examples, tips, and techniques. The book has been revised to reflect the latest trends in workforce training and key sections, such as assessment and evaluation, have been thoroughly updated. In addition, a completely new chapter has been included to cover the design of active training for e-learning and online applications.

Active Training will show you how to

• Assess training needs and participants
• Develop active training objectives
• Create practical opening activities
• Prepare brain-friendly lectures
• Design active training exercises
• Create e-learning applications
• Provide for back-on-the-job application . . . and much more!

Fasten your seat belts, this is no passive read. The book is filled with real-world cases, sample exercises to complete and try out, and hundreds of practical tips and techniques guaranteed to improve any training program.

This new edition includes a supplementary instructor's guide that is available at no charge from Pfeiffer.com.

Join the Active Training Revolution

"Since its initial publication, Active Training has become a classic book in the field of training and development. It remains a must-read for anyone who wants training to be effective and engaging."

—Sivasailam "Thiagi" Thiagarajan, author, Design Your Own Games and Activities; president, International Society for Performance Improvement

"Active Training is a one volume 'encyclopedia' full of the soundest concepts and practical ideas for applied adult learning you can find. No professional involved in learning, development or workplace performance should be without it."

—Ed Betof, Ed.D., vice president, Talent Management and chief learning officer, Becton Dickinson

"Active Training has been required reading for all our students since 1992. They refer their managers and staffs to it often to help change the way their organizations view and conduct training. Of all of the books required in the program, this is the one they cite as the most valuable!"

—Brenda S. Levya-Gardner, Ph.D. director, executive HRD graduate program, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio

"The third edition of Active Training continues its rich tradition of weaving theory with best practice that works so well for university classrooms as well as business contexts. Especially welcome is the expanded content on e-learning! I am confident that our students will be thrilled with new edition of Active Training."

—John A. Sample, Ph.D., program coordinator, Adult Education and Human Resource Development, Florida State University

Since 1990, Mel Silberman’s classic book, Active Training, has been a runaway best-seller for trainers at all levels and a popular text for university level courses in adult education and training. The active training method—which turns the spotlight away from the instructor and put the emphasis on the learner—has emerged over time as a proven and reliable method for enhancing involvement, learning, and change.

The third edition of Active Training,provides a thorough introduction to the core principles of active training design and delivery and includes a wealth of examples, tips, and techniques. The book has been revised to reflect the latest trends in workforce training and key sections, such as assessment and evaluation, have been thoroughly updated. In addition, a completely new chapter has been included to cover the design of active training for e-learning and online applications.

Mel Silbermanis professor emeritus of adult and organizational development at Temple University, where he received its Great Teacher Award. He is also president of Active Training, Princeton, New Jersey, a consulting firm that provides courses on active training techniques, interpersonal intelligence, and team facilitation. In addition to Active Training, Silberman is the author and editor of over 30 books, including PeopleSmart, 101 Ways to Make Training Active, The Best of Active Training, The 60-Minute Active Training Series, and Training the Active Training Way.

List of Figures.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

PART ONE: INTRODUCING ACTIVE TRAINING.

The Nature of Adult Learning.

Concerns About Active Training.

The Delivery of Active Training.

PART TWO: DESIGNING AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM.

Chapter 1. Assessing Training Needs.

Why Do Assessment?

What Information Should Be Collected?

How Can Information Be Collected?

What If There Is No Time to Do a Proper Assessment?

Chapter 2. Developing Active Training Objectives.

Setting Learning Goals.

Selecting Objectives.

Specifying Objectives.

Expressing Objectives.

Communicating Training Objectives to Others.

Chapter 3. Creating Opening Exercises.

What Opening Exercises Accomplish.

What to Keep in Mind When Creating Opening Exercises.

Ten Ways to Obtain Participation.

Chapter 4. Preparing Brain-Friendly Lectures.

Five Ways to Gain Your Audience’s Interest.

Five Ways to Maximize Understanding and Retention.

Five Ways to Involve Participants During a Lecture.

Five Ways to Reinforce Lectures.

An Example of a Well-Designed Lecture.

Chapter 5. Finding Alternative Methods to Lecturing.

Demonstration.

Case Study.

Guided Teaching.

Group Inquiry.

Information Search.

Study Group.

Jigsaw Learning.

Tournament Learning.

Applying the Alternatives to a Common Topic.

Chapter 6. Using Experiential Learning Approaches.

Role Playing.

Games and Simulations.

Observation.

Mental Imagery.

Writing Tasks.

Action Learning.

Chapter 7. Designing Active Training Activities.

The Three Major Ingredients of Any Design.

Basic Questions About Any Design.

The Remaining Details.

Three Tips for Creative Designs.

Chapter 8. Sequencing Active Training Activities.

Basic Sequencing Guidelines.

Applying Sequencing Guidelines.

The Finer Side of Sequencing.

Experiential Learning Sequences.

Chapter 9. Planning Active Training Programs.

The Macrodesign of an Active Training Program.

Chapter 10. Blending Technology into Active Training.

Independent e-Learning.

Group-Based e-Learning.

Virtual Classrooms.

Blended Learning.

PART THREE: CONDUCTING AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM.

Chapter 11. Beginning an Active Training Program.

Preparing Yourself Mentally.

Arranging the Physical Environment.

Greeting Participants and Establishing Rapport.

Getting the Best from the First Thirty Minutes of Training.

Reviewing the Agenda.

Inviting Feedback to the Agenda.

Chapter 12. Gaining Leadership of the Training Group.

Setting Group Norms.

Controlling Timing and Pacing.

Getting the Group’s Attention.

Increasing Receptivity to Your Leadership.

Handling Problem Situations.

Chapter 13. Giving Presentations and Leading Discussions.

Knowing Your Group.

Organizing Your Presentation.

Watching Your Body Language.

Adding Visuals.

Making Smooth Transitions.

Facilitating a Lively Discussion.

Chapter 14. Facilitating Structured Activities and Promoting Team Learning.

Structured Activities.

Team Learning.

Chapter 15. Concluding an Active Training Program.

Reviewing Program Content.

Obtaining Final Questions and Concerns.

Promoting Self-Assessment.

Planning Next Steps.

Expressing Final Sentiments.

PART FOUR: EXTENDING THE VALUE OF AN ACTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM.

Chapter 16. Providing for Back-on-the-Job Application.

Prior to the Training Program.

During the Training Program.

At the End of the Training Program.

Follow-Up Coaching and Support.

Chapter 17. Evaluating an Active Training Program.

Interim Feedback.

Final Assessment.

Final Thoughts.

References.

Index.

About the Authors.

Pfeiffer Publications Guide.