Applicability, there you are! Part 2

The other applicable session I attended was called Superhero iPad professional development: What we’ve learned over 3 years. While there was very little that was iPad focused, the presenters had some decent points about delivering an effective professional development workshop. It was the last session of the day, so my notes are a bit sparse. Though, credit to the presenters, as they stuck to one of their own tenets: instead of making their agenda more important, they read the crowd well and got us out of their early.

What not to do

• This device is for work only! Don’t download apps for personal use.
• personal allows for ownership, buy-in, interest
• Discourage collaboration
• Block app downloading
• let them explore and do the research
• Make your training session agenda more important than their learning.
• Try to deliver AND facilitate a large group. Have a partner.

Shame and Humiliation

• Calling out someone in a PD session can cause shame.
• Shame = same as trauma; paralyzing; cycle.
• If you see someone moving into shame, get them OUT.
• Humor
• Leave the room
• One on one

Engage creativity

• allow them to play, create, experiment, engage

Resilience

• Always have a plan B. 
• No internet connection?
• Fewer or more people than expected?
• Venue change?
• Google it. 
• Reflection: when someone is having troubles, reflect back what you are seeing.

Bribery

• “I’ll pay you $5 if you don’t learn something new.”
• competition = engagement

This last point was made manifest right at the end. An attendee turned to her friend and said, "They owe me five bucks, because I didn't learn a thing." 

I said, "Did you learn the five dollar trick?"

She scowled, smiled, and conceded the point.