Selection

There are many different delivery methods to choose from. Some of these affect the entire style of your training. For example, the first choice is between face-to-face delivery and distance learning. This Pack assumes that the choice for some type of face-to-face training has been made — although we do address the basics of distance learning elsewhere in the pack. Obviously the techniques and even the content of your training are fundamentally affected by this initial decision. The information you have gathered whilst profiling your learners will be very useful at this stage of training planning.

Once the decision has been made to provide face-to-face training there are several other questions to ask, such as:

• Will the training be entirely classroom based and involve the trainer constantly interacting with the participants?
• Will there be time away from the classroom when the participants will pursue studies on their own?
• Is the trainer going to be very active in providing material and direction?
• Will the trainer set specific tasks for individuals and groups?

Where the trainer is going to be very involved, providing materials, direction and structure, the training will be more traditional in nature. If the trainer is going to act more as a facilitator allowing the individual or group to set their own goals, choose their own content and work at their own pace, the training is more likely to follow an individual or facilitative model.

Within any overall training method, there will be many different options for delivery of specific content sessions. It is most effective to vary delivery of content in any given course. This helps to keep the participants interested, particularly if interactive delivery styles are chosen. Some delivery methods will assist you as trainer in assessing whether the course learning goals are being met. The variety will also keep you fresh and allow you to pace yourself throughout the course. The delivery options for specific sessions given in this Pack include (but are not exhaustive):

• Lectures and presentations
• Other class activities
• Coursework
• Case studies

When deciding what method and type of training is best for your participants’ needs, you should consider:

• The number of learners
• What content is to be delivered
• How much time is available to deliver the course
• How often the materials will be delivered
• How many trainers there are
• The educational environment
• What funding is available
• The corporate culture
• What other resources are required

Last updated: 20 December 2005