Getting Learners Back On Time

Getting Learners Back On Time

David Gibson:

Getting learners back on time after a break when the training room is in the same building as learners normally work can be a bit of a challenge. Below are 8 strategies that will help you with this challenge.

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1. Avoid 'ish' times
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Heard this before "Ok, so it's nearly 11 o'clock, we'll take a break here. Please be ready to continue at quarter past eleven." This is what I call an 'ish' time. Quarter past, half past, quarter-to are all non-specific times and learners feel that they can return somewhere around that time and usually up to 10-minutes after that time.

How about making the return time a non-ish time i.e. "It's now 10:59. Please be ready to continue at 11:14." 11:14 is 11:14 - no leeway. I've been using this technique successfully for many years now and was recently happy to read that there is some scientific research as to why it works. Apparently when we give a specific time it initiates a little anxiety (nothing strong enough to interfere with learning) making learners much more conscious of time. In fact, learners will look at their watches up to 5 times during a break if you specify a specific time (having read this research I have observed learners to see if this is true and I can categorically confirm it is).

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2. Bribe learners back
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This may sound a little strange but works every time. The idea is to offer something your learners really want at the exact time you state the workshop will continue after a break e.g. if I was facilitating a sales workshop, "It's now 10:59; we will break here for 15-minutes and continue at 11:14. You have just uncovered 2 great techniques for selling the new X02. At 11:14 I want to share with you the technique that has generated most sales and commission. The door closes at 11:14 and those people not in the room at that time will not be allowed in until we have uncovered this technique." Where will your salespeople be at 11:14 - in the room - guaranteed!

I often use a magic trick to demonstrate a specific content point and using similar wording to the above offer to give learners the props and share how the trick is done at the said time. This guarantees that every one of my learners is back on time. NB - you must live up to your promise!
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3. Time monitors
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Why not select time monitors immediately prior to a break whose responsibility it is to ensure that all their team members are back on time. (See 'Tip 63 - Fun Ways For Selecting An Activity Leader' for some suggestions on how to randomly select the time monitor.)

Twist:
You can also 'randomly' select the person who has been late themselves to be the time monitor eg if they are the tallest in their team, "The time monitor will be the tallest person in each team".

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4. Benefit focused
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Keep the content totally learner centered, relevant and benefit based. Let learners know what the next content piece will be and how it will help them in their everyday work, ie set up positive expectations and build a need to be back on time based upon what will be of benefit to them, eg during our workshop 'Making Meetings Work' we say, "I know you diaries must be full with meetings. After the break I'm going to suggest an idea that I'm certain will allow you to go through your diary and remove at least half of the current meetings freeing up all that valuable time for you to work on your other priorities and not having to stay late on an evening to do these because you've been in meetings all day."

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5. Start on time
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Always, always, always start at the specified time - even if all learners have not returned. This stops you setting the precedence 'it's OK to be late because I'll wait'. It also stops you punishing those learners that were back on time by keeping them waiting - after all, if you'll wait for them, then they may as well be a little late next time because you'll wait for them too! (Personally I continue and do not back-track for anyone coming in late.)

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6. Shorter more frequent breaks
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Rather than one 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon, why not have a 5-minute break every hour. This gives enough time for a top-up of water, coffee etc and a visit to the bathroom but not enough time to go to their desk and check eMail etc. It also helps break-up longer pieces of content and time for the brain to process previous content.

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7. Puzzle time
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You might find this a useful strategy when you are continuing after lunch. Start with a content related (and fun) puzzle projected via the OHP. Ask teams to work together to try and solve it. This should only last 3-5 minutes. What it does is allow for any latecomers to re-join the workshop without anyone noticing, helps bring learners mentally as well as physically back into the workshop and re-connects them to content.

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8. Last resort
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Have a quiet word if someone is a constant offender - aside and away from other learners. I would say something like, "John, I notice you seem to be a few minutes late getting back after each break. Is there a specific reason for this?" There may well be a valid reason and if so, you can work around this. By asking if there is a valid reason means you are not jumping in and accusing - just asking and avoiding any conflict. If not, you can simply say that it is causing a little distraction for other learners and would it be possible to be back on time.

Call to Action:
Don't just accept that some of your learners will be late back. Use some of these positive techniques to ensure your learners are back on time and rearing to continue.