In tough economic times, companies are constantly looking for ways to trim costs, and employee training budgets are often a casualty of that cost cutting. Even though studies consistently show that investing in training, especially managerial training, is a wise investment, many companies are reluctant to spend money on developing employees' leadership skills. And even when companies do provide training, they are often dissatisfied with the results.
Engaging users
Studies show that although adults can listen for 90 minutes of a presentation, they will remember only 20 minutes of information. Therefore, trainers should break up their presentation every 8 minutes with some type of interactive activity to help trainees better retain the presented materials.
One of the best ways to offer interactivity and boost engagement and retention is through audience response technology. Audience response systems boost the effectiveness of training programs by allowing presenters to target the specific tools and topics that participants need while validating their understanding of the materials.
When you add interactivity to a PowerPoint presentation, you change the learning paradigm. Instead of a one-way, "I talk, you listen" paradigm, it becomes a participatory learning event. Interactivity can let you determine the level of understanding that people bring to the event so that you can gear the presentation to the needs of the audience. You don't need to cover the concepts that people are already familiar with, but instead you can allocate your time to teaching what the audience members need to learn. That adaptability saves time and money and improves the training's effectiveness.
New age, new methods
Interactive keypads are also extremely effective for younger, technology-savvy workers. Younger learners prefer immediate feedback and want the ability to engage with others in the training environment. Without the engagement that they offer, the ROI for training these younger workers will likely be low.
However, through activities such as pre and post-meeting knowledge assessment, measuring learning or knowledge transfer, automation of meeting evaluations (smile sheets), measuring the use of new skills or information after the meeting, measuring meeting outcomes and organizational impact, and interactive polling, trainers can dramatically improve the effectiveness of their training programs. This subsequently allows them to drive behavior change and dramatically improve training ROI.
Measurement is a key element of the two leading methodologies for demonstrating the value of adult learning programs. Both the Kirkpatrick Model (Four Levels) and the Phillips ROI Methodology (Five Levels) call for measuring reactions, learning, and behavior change. An interactive response system is often the fastest and easiest way to implement measurement. Polling software and hardware is a good fit for pre-post assessments, evaluation forms, and questionnaires quantifying behavior change.
In addition to using electronic polling devices for management training, companies can use them for new employee training, safety training, systems and process training, and continuing education. Using the keypads for multiple functions is another way trainers can enhance meeting value and increase ROI for all training.
When you need to be certain your managers are getting what they need to become leaders in your organization, your best investment is in audience response technology. Click the button below to learn more!