I intentionally design to maximize learning. I conduct a needs assessment, asking select questions of participants and stakeholders, studying websites and key documents, and observing events and meetings of the client and small groups. I check my assumptions and work to align the steps of design to ensure the best content is being offered at […]
Closing a learning event is as important as opening it! This is the moment when learners are invited to envision how the new learning will show up in their daily lives. Closing activities are essential to solidify and transfer the learning that took place during the event. Jeanette Romkema and Tyler Phillips worked with Sinapis […]
We’ve all been on the receiving end of a poorly-framed question in a learning situation. You know the ones I’m talking about, where your first response is “What’s she getting at?” Or, after a powerful and evocative video clip the facilitator asks, “So… did you like it?” As educators, we rarely intend to shut learners’ […]
Over the past months of virtual meetings – and there have been plenty of them – there has been much testing and experimentation with technology. One such technique has been the Chat feature; all virtual platforms have it and most of us use it. For me, the Chat feature has helped to enliven and enrich […]
One of my teams started using Miro as a digital whiteboard, and I was really excited to be able to use the “sticky notes” (term used by Miro) function to brainstorm and sort ideas like we’ve done with Post-it notes in-person. Once we tried it out, it became clear there were some adjustments to using […]
Guest Peter Tate – a member of our International Certified Network – shares his experience facilitating faiths and cultures trainings in Southall, London. When facilitating change, Peter says “the outcome is not guaranteed” – but combining a blended approach with powerful questions enabled him to create a safe holding environment for transformative learning. Warning for some parents: powerful questions about Santa Claus within! Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you […]
Gratitude can be wonderfully affirming, surprisingly life-giving, noticeably motivating, and importantly respectful. Human beings need gratitude. However, many of us need to learn to give and receive it. In these times of increased isolation and speed of work, Global Learning Partners would like to suggest that the giving and receiving of gratitude is more needed […]
The number one desire in online learning is to engage each individual present. Quizzes and polls are two quick and easy features that can help boost the energy, add some fun, and help learners connect to the content and each other. When to Use As a warm-up to learn something relevant about the people who are there. Example: What […]
Many people are afraid of sitting in silence with a group in a Zoom room. Don’t be afraid. Silence can be extremely helpful and needed if timed well. Here are reasons to design for silence: to give people time to think to make space for off-screen work before coming to the large group to consider content, ideas, […]
The Chat box is highly underrated. All meeting spaces have this feature, but it is not often used. And even more rarely, explored. Here are some great reasons to use the Chat box: to invite in all voices Rarely does everyone have a voice in a session (in-person or virtual). Since meaning-making is personal, every […]