Instructional Designer Common Mistakes Using Training Handouts

A good Instructional Designer will use best practices when creating training handouts. Here are common mistakes you should avoid.

They know that training handouts are very powerful training tools. Not only do they provide reinforcement to participants of content learned, but they also stay with the participants for a long time after the training. However, many trainers are so focused on creating their presentations that they wait until the last minute to create their handouts and often they don't align to the learning objectives. Handouts are a critical part of your training and having the proper content on your handouts is an important part of the total training experience.

Here are a few mistakes you want to avoid when trying to create a successful handout:

How to Find the Right Instructional Design Consultant

Tips to Hiring the Ideal Candidate For Your Learning Department

It’s bound to happen. You’re finally at the point where you can manage your training initiatives and everyone on the team, while stretched thin, can continue to manage day to day operations while also taking on a few new projects as needed.

Then it happens.

Creating Change Management Training That Works

7 Ways to Ensure Effective Change Management

When it comes to implementing new change in any organization, the usual reaction is less than encouraging.

The major reasons for this could be poorly implemented change in the past, unclear communication leading to fear of change, a lack of clarity in terms of the process involved and the most likely reason-it’s human nature! Regardless of the reason, the key to any successful change management process is having the right change manager on the team alongside subject matter experts and learning professionals who can bring together the right plan.

What are the benefits of an instructional designer?

The cybersecurity training program has finally been approved, and your executive has flagged it as a priority.

With your learning and development team stretched thin on other projects, you’ve decided the most efficient way to complete this training program is to hire a contract Instructional Designer (ID). If you need to make the business case to management for budget approval, here are seven good points to present.

Building Your Instructional Design Team

Putting together the right team of Instructional Designers can be a challenge for any organization. Whether it be a contract Instructional Designer or an in house hire, figuring out expectations, deliverables and what traits you’re looking for are critical to getting the organization on the right track.

Why Do You Need an Instructional Designer?

Let’s face it.  Learning is more than passively requesting employees to read through your PowerPoint in hopes that they'll get up to speed on the latest training initiative.  Unfortunately, many learning leaders continue to use this form of training in hopes to see their targets met, and continue to fail.

5 Out-of-the-Box Ideas from Instructional Design Consultants

Have you been craving a unique way to engage your learners? Are your courses blending together? It's time to take off the rose-colored glasses and see your training program for what it really is. Our top instructional design consultants have discovered 5 out-of-the-box ideas that will wake you up from training déjà vu.

1. Get Gamified!

The truth is, the use of gamification is everywhere. And it's growing - the gamification market is predicted to reach $2.8 billion in direct spending by 2016. Why? Because gamification really works. It encourages users to engage in desired behaviors by showing a path of mastering, and by taking advantage of our human psyche predisposition to engage in gaming. 

What do our instructional design consultants use to make their gamification unique and successful? They include items such as leader boards, badges, levels, challenges and the possibility to level up.  Incorporate those items with game-like dynamics such as competition, urgency, rewards, pride and status- building. Successful gamification can turn work into fun and make learning a joy. The potential is enormous.

Interested in implementing gamification within your organization? Download our checklist for evaluating gamification platforms!

Read more about the benefits of gamification...

Corporate Training: Top 7 Trends For Training Programs 

Due to the high popularity of our previous post, "Corporate Training: Top 5 Trends for Training Programs", we decided to update the content by adding two more corporate training trends that organizations can't afford to ignore in 2015.

As these trends are on the rise, the need to find the right Instructional Designer (ID) has become increasingly important. Finding an ID with the right qualifications to keep up with these trends is a tall order. Locate your "Super ID". Download our "Top 5 Interview Questions for an Instructional Designer" today!

Maximize Effectiveness when Interviewing Training Consultants