ROLE PLAY!!! There we said it...!!
The phrase that can send shivers down so many trainees backs as the over enthusiastic trainer smiles smuggly knowing that they are about to inflict a pain worse than death on the audience...!!
(Well maybe not all trainers think and act that way...- Ed)
Role play doesn't work
Lets face it as the picture shows theres a right way and wrong way to embed the learning.
Role play often comes with the tag of doing something that's not real, relevant or going to add benefit.
It's also often embarrassing for those asked to participate...from standing in front of the group massively outside of one's comfortzone...to running around in plane costumes - Learning SHOULD be fun, not embarrassing or isolating the learner.
Our tips for effectively embedding the learning...
1. Assessment - Check whether there is a need for practice or demonstration in the first place. Is there another way of assessing understanding? Plan to have a number of assessment processes - and use the one the fits with the group profile, atmosphere and desired outcome best.
2. Fact not fiction - Make sure any task or exercise is REAL and RELEVANT to the learning. You're not assessing the acting ability or imagination of individuals!
3. Challenge by Choice - Never force people to do anything they are not comfortable with. Explain the exercise, the reasons, the outcomes and the value to be gained. Then its a choice if individuals participate.
4. Respond to feedback - Capture and use feedback on the activities. Did it work? Why? What could be done differently? Amend process and exercises in the future
Our team of facilitators have found using these 4 points effective in ensuring the learning is embedded and groups don't feel embarrassed in anyway...making for an enjoyable value adding experience.
Tags: Role Play, Learning, Management Development, training, Best practice, HR
