Analysis

Norris’s book From Telling to Teaching is directed toward facilitators who provide internal corporate training, workshops and seminars. As an employee of a corporation that requires a substantial amount of mandatory training, I found this to be an interesting read that offers a variety of insights into this area of adult education. The suggestions offered within the book can lead to a few simple improvements in the content delivery of training sessions.

The underlying theme, the learner has as much to offer as the instructor, is a significant point to consider in the world of adult education. Adult learners can potentially bring a wealth of information to the learning environment. It is the role of the facilitator to create an atmosphere which will allow information to be exchanged.

Creating this environment begins at the door. Norris states that this begins with an inviting, engaging and safe atmosphere. The author provides the specifics for establishing this type of environment. This is done through both the aesthetics of the room and communication. Facilitators need to consider various learning modalities: visual; auditory and kinesthetic and reach learners in a variety of ways understanding that each learner has his or her own learning preference.

A substantial part of the concepts behind the book deals with dialogue. This is established at the moment the learner walks though the door and the game rules are expressed to the learner which conveys a sense of safety. The learning environment is designed to facilitate partnerships between facilitator and between learners. Exercises are designed to allow participants a chance to communicate with one other person before asking them to speak in front of a large group.

The author concludes the book with step-by-step instructions for designing the course. She suggests that three or four open questions be formulated at this stage. A who, why, where and when format is suggested as an aid to developing the details of the course. Who is your audience? Why do they need the information? When will the class meet and how much time will be needed? Where will the class meet? These questions are necessary in order to incorporate the suggestions for an engaging learning environment. Additionally, the book recommends a storyboard to layout the content of the course.

I was inspired to rethink the methods I use when I conduct trainings. The informal and upbeat style reflects the philosophy she is espousing in the book. She draws the reader into the setting of the class and asks us to consider what we already know and connect it with what she has learned through her own experience.