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 To help you with your reply, please consider the following questions:  250 words each part 1 and 2 each 

· What did you learn from the posting?

· What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?

· What clarification do you need regarding the posting?

· What differences or similarities do you see between your initial discussion thread and your classmates’ postings?

· Compare the techniques you identified with those identified by others.

Part 1

Identify a minimum of three specific techniques for retaining participant interest not found in the Blanchard and Thacker (2019) text and briefly explain each.

Three specific techniques for retaining participant interest not found in the Blanchard & Thacker (2019) text include 1) Use Analogies and Metaphors, 2) Discuss Personal Experience and 3) Include Videos.

Explain how these three specific techniques can be used to deliver effective training, noting the learning style to which each technique appeals.

Use Analogies & Metaphors: This is especially helpful when you are discussing complex subjects. The reason why these are effective is because it helps bring the content to life and ensure you deliver the training in a way that people can understand it. The overall aim is to make things simple AND interesting. An generic example of an analogy is if you were discussing the process of waiting on promotion results to demonstrate the effect that it has on people. You could say something like “Waiting to find out if you got the promotion is a roller coaster ride of emotions.” People can relate to that. You could also use humor or sarcasm but must be careful. One example could be “That’s as useful as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic” to demonstrate the point that it’s really not useful at all (Taylor, J., 2012, Apr 23). 

Discuss Personal Experience: People always love a good story. Trainers must be careful with this one though. You don’t want to talk about yourself too much to the point of the trainees being sick of hearing about you. Adding a personal experience can be extremely useful and relatable though. An example could be the trainer giving tips on interviewing, and he/she could give a personal example of a time where they tried opening with a joke and it totally backfired when none of the panelists laughed, to demonstrate a point that one should always be cautious with trying to open up with a joke in the beginning of an interview as a way of winning over the panelists.

Include Videos: Blanchard & Thacker (2019) did discuss providing a variety of training methods and multiple audiovisual approaches, but it did not go into detail in discussing the use of videos. Personally, I’ve found that including little funny or dramatic video sound bites (even from YouTube) is a great way to keep the training interesting, and hold audience attention. There are even multiple role-playing video clips. Personally, I like to include little video snipets from shows that most people know, like the old TV show “The Office” or the show “Friends.” Of course, with this you have to be careful about the content, because the last thing you would want to do is offend someone, but if done correctly these are an excellent way to not only keep their attention but to demonstrate a point. It’s kind of like discussing personal experience and using analogies combined together.

Compare and contrast these three specific techniques with those identified in the course text.

The three techniques mentioned are similar to some that were identified in the course text, but differ slightly. As previously mentioned, including videos is similar because in the text it talks about building training to accommodate different learning styles; using multiple methods and multiple audiovisual approaches. The text did not specifically note using video clips, however. Discussing personal experience was not referenced in the text. I believe this would be an example of providing a variety during training to maintain interest though (Blanchard & Thacker, 2019).

References: Patrick M

Blanchard, P. N., & Thacker, J. W. (2019). Effective training: Systems, strategies, and practices (6th ed.). Chicago Business Press.

Taylor, J. (2012, Apr 23). 6 Tips to Leading a Training They’ll Actually Enjoy. Forbes. Retrieved online at https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/04/23/6-tips-to-leading-a-training-theyll-actually-enjoy/?sh=50b9baec73a9 (Links to an external site.) 

Part 2

Within the text, there were quite a few techniques for maintaining participant interest in a training; ice breaker, have variety, and exercises and games (Blanchard, 2019). Each of these I have seen at trainings or utilized myself. After completing research, I found three techniques for maintaining participant interest; tell a story, create a mental picture, and ask questions that require a response (Eikenberry, 2000).

These techniques can be used to deliver effective training because they engage the trainees mind to listen, think, and at times respond. When asking a question during a training or letting the trainees know that there will be a question proposed at some point, you will keep their attention and focus because they will want to be prepared for when the question is asked. Asking participants to create a mental picture, activates their minds by having them think of something specific and picture it; the mental image should be something that they can relate to a time in their own life related to the subject of the training. Telling a story can engage participants, especially if the story connects with the participant emotionally. Telling a story helps abstract information become concrete and participants will engage and listen if they are emotionally connected to the story. There have been many TED talks I have listened to and the ones with a story that grips me emotionally is one that I remember and retain the information much better.

Each of these techniques supports various types of learners. Creating a mental picture and telling a story supports sensor learners, those learners retain information when they can see how it connects to the real world, so hearing a personal story or trying to picture it in their own lives would be impactful. Intuitive learners would benefit from being asked questions because they need to make connections in order to recall the facts and asking questions will promote thinking about facts and making a link.

Each of the techniques that I found really engage the mind and make participants think, as well as, creating a connection to something personal or emotional. An icebreaker can be used the same way and can engage the participants with one another and the ability to make a closer connection. Variety is important, especially if your training is lengthy, and gives the participants a chance to take a break and let the mind relax. Exercises and games, would be engaging for participants and keep their minds active.

References: Jessica M

Blanchard, P. N., & Thacker, J. W. (2019). Effective training: Systems, strategies, and practices (6th ed.). Chicago Business Press.

Eikenberry, K. (2000, July 4). Twelve Ways to Engage Your Learning Audience. TechRepublic. Retrieved from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/twelve-ways-to-engage-your-learning-audience/