Professional Development

I’m home, yay!  I got home a little while ago, and even though I did complete more of my goals, there is nothing that makes me happier than being home.  But now, time for a recap of our last day until April!

We started the day with our 3 minute presentations, which were recorded.  I was 2nd to go, and it went well.  The thing I wanted to work on was speaking slowly, slowing down on my presentation.  I was able to do that, and got some great feedback in the process.  I need to keep my pace (slowing down) in mind, always, and I used a few fillers (uh, um, etc.) but nothing too major there, things that I can work on.  I got great compliments on my posture, the way I present information, and my eye contact.  I was even told that my speaking is good, again it’s more my pace.  So I will watch my video and see for myself how I look and sound.  A part of our homework for next time is watching this video and reporting your interpretation of your presentation skills, so I will get on that.

I was able to finalize my learning objectives, cycle of learning, and  even get a preliminary outline for my training piece.  Now I need to my outline worked out completely and then pick a date to offer my class.  I have to give my session and design a tri-fold (think science fair) for the showcase at the end of April.  On top of everything else going on, I am going to be busy, but I can handle it, and after the showcase I will be a North Carolina Master Trainer.

For now, back to work!

What a long day! I started at 8am, I couldn’t get coffee in me fast enough! The first thing we did this morning was to revisit last time, make sure we were all still on the same page on our four models: needs assesments and learning objects, the cycle of learning, the group dynamic model, and the learning styles. After that, we had a break…more coffee for me!

After our break we broke into design groups, our same groups from our first session, but this time instead of planning training amongst each other, we bounced our ideas for our training sessions off of each other, and with the help of our coaches, were able to narrow our topics and focus our topics. One thing that continues to challenge me is keeping my learners in mind and make sure I cover what my learners want/need covered, not necessarily what I want to cover. I am coming along, though, and I have some good ideas about how I want to present my training.

After group design meetings was lunch (the cheesecake was good, but that’s all), and then we had a session on power and influence. Basically we learned ways to approach getting what we want and need as trainers. I realized while talking to some of my colleagues that I am very lucky in this regard. Everyone at my Library is very open to new ideas and training, especially my supervisor and director, so it is easy to approach people with new ideas and present my ideas, in fact I am encouraged to do so.

We then had another round of group design meetings and then the last session of the day covered presentation skills. One thing I have always wanted to work on regarding my own presentation skills is slowing down, and I think I have learned a few ways to do that, other than just slowing down.

I have homework tonight! I have to get ready for my 3 minute presentation tomorrow. I am pretending to present to my supervisor and director my training idea. I have to design to flip chart visual aids tonight and organize my thoughts regarding my topic to present. The presentation material does not have to be perfect, the presentation skills are what are under fire, so to speak. AND, like I have mentioned, this is being video taped and given to us to keep and watch for our own educational purposes.

I’ll let you know tomorrow how all that goes!