By Marsha Weisleder on May 26, 2026

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You know that great feeling when a training session really clicks? The group is engaged, the discussions are lively, and you can almost see the lightbulbs going off. But the real test comes later—when learners are back on the job. Do the new skills show up in their work?

That’s where the transfer of learning comes in. The good news?

By Marsha Weisleder on May 19, 2026

You can design and deliver a fantastic course, but if learners go back to work and nothing changes, what’s the point?

Here are three practical tips to help training stick:

1. Have learners create an action plan. When they write down how they’ll apply their new skills, it helps make it real and gives them something to refer to on the job.

By Laura Welsh on May 12, 2026

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In part one of this blog, we talked about thinking like a trainer—focusing on your learners, simplifying your language, and creating opportunities for interaction. You’re off to a great start! But there’s still more you can do to make your sessions both engaging and effective.

Here are five more tips to help you grow your confidence and make your expertise shine in the classroom.

By Laura Welsh on May 5, 2026

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You likely know your stuff better than anyone in your organization. That’s why you’ve been asked to share your expertise with others. But being a subject-matter expert (SME) doesn’t automatically make you a trainer. The good news? With a few simple shifts, you can transform your expertise into training that learners not only remember but also apply.

Here are five practical tips to help you make that transition smoothly and confidently.

By Meg Harper on April 28, 2026

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Being a Learning and Development (L&D) manager is more than simply organizing training sessions or checking off compliance boxes; it’s about shaping how people grow, connect, and perform at work. But how do you know if you’re good at it? It’s not always obvious. You might be too close to the work to notice, or maybe you’re comparing yourself to others who seem to have it all figured out.

By Adam Langevin on April 21, 2026

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More than ever, instructional designers are being asked to integrate artificial intelligence into our work. AI-generated video has moved rapidly from being an “interesting experiment” to an “expected capability” for learning professionals.

When I was asked to lead the design of our Instructional AI Videos for Beginners workshop, it became clear early on that the core challenge wasn’t simply teaching people how to use AI video tools.

By Marsha Weisleder on April 14, 2026

Starting a training needs analysis might seem overwhelming, but here’s a simple formula to get you started:

Expected Performance – Actual Performance = Performance Gap

Expected performance is what employees should be doing. This needs to be clearly documented for every job function in your organization, whether it’s in a job description or a standard operating procedure. In fact, one of the biggest causes of performance gaps is that employees don’t know what’s expected of them.

By Marsha Weisleder on April 7, 2026

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Have you ever felt like starting a training needs analysis is just too complicated? It can seem like a mountain of work before you even know where to begin. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.

You can start with one simple formula:

Expected Performance – Actual Performance = Gap

The gap is the problem you’re solving, whether through training or non-training solutions.

By Meg Harper on March 31, 2026

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If you work in learning and development (L&D), chances are you’ve had to give feedback at some point. Whether it’s to a learner in a training session, a facilitator you’re coaching, or even a manager who needs to tweak their approach. Feedback is one of the most powerful tools we have, but let’s be real: it can also feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even scary—on both sides.

By Marsha Weisleder on March 24, 2026

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Have you seen the Mission Impossible movies? Tom Cruise’s mission, should he choose to accept it, is usually high risk, high stakes, and crystal clear. Everyone involved knows the objective, the boundaries, and what success looks like.

Just like those movies, organizations have missions, too. While many focus on making money for owners, stockholders, and employees, many companies also have mission statements that go beyond revenue gain. 

By Dawn Lang on March 17, 2026

Do you ever feel guilty about using notes when you’re facilitating?

Notes aren’t a crutch. They’re a powerful tool, when used right. The best facilitators prepare so they can stay present.

Use notes to keep track of time. Writing a cue in the corner of your leader’s guide, like “take a break at 10:15,” can keep you on pace.

Need to shift gears? Write down your transition phrases.

By Dawn Lang on March 10, 2026

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As a Langevin Master Trainer, I want every workshop participant to get the most value possible from the time they invest in training. One of the most reliable ways to make that happen is to intentionally build creative, memorable review activities into a course. Reviews are more than a recap of content. When they are well designed, reviews help learners store information, retrieve it later, and make sense of how the material applies to their job.

By Meg Harper on March 3, 2026

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AI is everywhere. From chatbots handling customer questions to smart tools helping us write emails faster, artificial intelligence has officially moved from sci-fi into everyday work life. And for Learning and Development professionals, that’s a big deal.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth taking a course or some formal AI training, the short answer is…absolutely. AI isn’t here to replace L&D—it’s here to make us sharper, faster, and more creative in how we help people learn.

By Dawn Lang on February 24, 2026

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As a facilitator, I often hear the question, “Shouldn’t I be able to deliver my content without notes?” My answer? Notes aren’t a crutch; they’re a tool. When used intentionally, notes help you stay focused, maintain your flow, and deliver with confidence and clarity. The key is how you use them.

Here are five smart ways to use notes to elevate your delivery, not let them weigh you down.

By Dawn Lang on February 17, 2026

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Before I step onto the tennis court, I always start with a dynamic warm-up. It gets my muscles ready to move, sharpens my focus, and helps prevent injuries. Without it, I’m less effective and more likely to make mistakes.

The same principle applies in the virtual classroom. A good warm-up helps learners shift from “spectator mode” into “participant mode.” It sets the tone for interaction and primes them for a more engaged session.

By Marsha Weisleder on February 10, 2026

By implementing specific, structured activities, any instructor can shift the room from passive listening to active involvement. Use these tried-and-true techniques to drive active participation in your training sessions:

1. Friendly Competition: set up team challenges to encourage learners to work together to quiz their peers, turning review sessions into a high-energy collaboration.

2. Peer Selection for Q&A: have the last person to speak select who will answer next.

By Marsha Weisleder on February 3, 2026

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Are you struggling to get your learners to actively participate? If you are, you’re not alone. It’s the number one challenge I hear from new (and even experienced) trainers. But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, you can turn a quiet classroom into an active, energized learning environment. 

Here are eight practical strategies to increase leaner participation and interaction. 

By Meg Harper on January 27, 2026

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Hybrid learning has quickly become the “new normal” in the training world. It sounds simple enough, but if you’ve ever tried to run a session like this, you know it’s anything but. You’ve got to juggle tech, energy levels, attention spans, and a whole lot of “Can you hear me now?” moments.

So how do you make sure your in-person learners aren’t zoning out, while your remote participants don’t feel like afterthoughts?

By Alan Magnan on January 20, 2026

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The training business is frantic by nature. “Design this course by next month.” “Prep for this new course by next week.” “Deliver the orientation course tomorrow…” Consequently, we often get caught up in deadlines and activities and lose sight of the real goal: results. What results should training focus on? The answer is always the same: improved employee performance. Here are a few ways to stay focused on that goal.

By Dawn Lang on January 13, 2026

When designing for the virtual classroom, it’s essential to understand the constraints that shape the design process and learner experience. Test your materials ahead of time, use features like polls and breakouts with intention, and plan your content around the time you actually have. Whether you’re working with a small, highly interactive group or a larger audience that requires tighter structure, thoughtful preparation will help you deliver a smooth, engaging online session.

Additional Resource: How to Manage Virtual Classroom Design Constraints

Ready to create a seamless and interactive virtual experience for your learners?

By Dawn Lang on January 6, 2026

When designing virtual classroom (VC) sessions, instructional designers must navigate several key constraints that can significantly impact content delivery, learner engagement, and overall course success. Here’s a breakdown of the most critical design considerations and some tips to help you manage each constraint.

VC Platform Compatibility

Certain systems or applications may not integrate well with your virtual classroom platform. If learners need to practice using these systems during the session, limited compatibility can restrict opportunities for hands-on application.

By Laura Welsh on December 16, 2025

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You’ve finalized your agenda, your slides are polished, and the coffee’s brewing. But as the meeting kicks off, half the room is silent. A few voices dominate, while others seem to vanish into the background.

Sound familiar?

As a facilitator, one of your biggest wins is seeing everyone, whether in the room or on the call, actively contributing. But getting there takes more than good intentions.

By Marsha Weisleder on December 9, 2025

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Have you ever felt like managing projects is a constant juggling act? Hitting deadlines, staying within budget, and meeting expectations can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. What if you could take the guesswork out of project management? At Langevin, we recommend a simple four-phase approach.

Concept

Every great project starts with a solid game plan. During the Concept Phase, gather all the upfront information you need to set a clear direction.

By Laura Welsh on December 2, 2025

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No project runs perfectly from start to finish. Deadlines slip, priorities shift, and unexpected roadblocks pop up. When a project starts to veer off course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t panic! With the right approach, you can turn things around and get everything back on track.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Before jumping into solutions, figure out what’s causing the delay. Are deadlines unrealistic?

By Langevin Team on December 1, 2025

Discover how to use AI as your creative partner to streamline your design process and elevate your projects. Attend Enhancing Instructional Design with AI.

Unlock the power of AI to strategically enhance critical instructional design tasks, create polished instructional videos, and more. Click here to learn how you can achieve your AI Content Developer Certification in just 9 sessions!

Note: This post is part of a pre-course workshop activity.

By Meg Harper on November 25, 2025

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Let’s be honest…being a training professional today is no small feat. You’re likely juggling learning strategies, gaining learner buy-in, designing content, and maybe even facilitating workshops with the energy of a TED-talker. But here’s the kicker: doing all that well and standing out in a sea of experts can be tough. That’s where certification swoops in like a superhero in sensible shoes.

By Dawn Lang on November 18, 2025

Every instructor gets stumped from time to time—and that’s okay. You need practical ways to handle participant questions when you don’t have an immediate answer. Remember to stay calm, be honest, involve the group, and treat the moment as a learning opportunity. By responding thoughtfully, you can build trust, model curiosity, and keep the learning experience positive and engaging!

Ready to feel more confident running virtual sessions? The Virtual Trainer workshop gives you practical tools to connect with your learners, manage the unexpected, and deliver smooth, engaging online experiences every time.

By Laura Welsh on November 11, 2025

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When you’re leading a training session or giving a presentation, one of the most powerful tools you have isn’t what you say; it’s what you don’t say—the pause.

Whether you’re a trainer, a facilitator, or someone who occasionally delivers a presentation as part of your job, learning to pause at the right moment can take your delivery from good to great.

By Meg Harper on November 4, 2025

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Not everyone dreams of becoming a training professional. Some people want to be astronauts. Others want to be famous YouTubers or open a bakery on a beach somewhere. But if you’re the kind of person who lights up when helping someone else “get it” for the first time, you might be sitting on a hidden talent for training that’s just waiting to shine.

Here are five telltale signs you’d totally rock it as a training professional (even if you haven’t considered the job yet).

By Marsha Weisleder on October 28, 2025

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Imagine investing time, energy, and resources into a training program, only to wonder if it made a real impact. Enter Donald Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation, a game-changer for anyone looking to measure training effectiveness and real-world results. This proven model provides a structured approach for assessing the effectiveness of our training. It breaks down evaluation into four levels: Reaction, Learning, Performance, and Results.

By Meg Harper on October 21, 2025

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Management skills are often overlooked until something goes wrong. A team misses a deadline, communication breaks down, or employee morale dips, and suddenly everyone’s scrambling to identify the root cause. Often, it’s not a lack of hard skills or talent but an absence of effective management that’s to blame. Enter management skills training—a proven way to unlock the full potential of leaders and their teams.

By Marsha Weisleder on October 14, 2025

Looking for fresh ways to measure the effectiveness of your training programs?

It can be time-consuming and challenging to evaluate training at levels three and four. Traditional methods like surveys, interviews, observations, and record checks often take a lot of effort—or aren’t always accessible. That’s where alternative approaches come in! By running small focus groups, you can uncover how learners are applying skills back on the job. And when hard data isn’t available, asking learners to share success stories provides powerful evidence that training makes a difference.

By Laura Welsh on October 7, 2025

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Congratulations, your team has just participated in a training session! Afterwards, there can be a temptation to jump right back into business as usual. But here’s the thing—training doesn’t end when the session does. The real challenge is to ensure your employees retain and apply what they’ve learned. So, how do you, as a manager, support your team post-training?

Here are five tips that can make all the difference.

By Alan Magnan on September 30, 2025

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Working with subject-matter experts (SMEs) can be daunting. When we rely on others to provide us with course content, we’re often given huge PowerPoint decks full of so much material it can almost become unusable. This is one of the origins of the dreaded “death-by-PowerPoint” we see in training. Here are a few tips that might help manage the contributions SMEs make to training:

Explain the Training Process

Many subject-matter experts are simply asked to produce course content, without knowing the instructional design process.

By Melissa Satterfield on September 23, 2025

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One of the more common questions I get when facilitating our Instructional Techniques for New Instructors workshop focuses on the topic of questions. Specifically, how to respond to learner questions and what to do when you don’t have an answer. For me, this has taken years of experience and several trial-and-error attempts in the classroom.

Here’s what I’ve discovered so far…

Listen

Listen objectively and completely to the question without interrupting (I admit this is hard to do sometimes).

By Marsha Weisleder on September 16, 2025

Discover your passion and calling by finding the sweet spot between three things: being great at what you do, feeling appreciated, and knowing your work makes lives better. In this quick tip, we challenge you to reflect on whether you have found your true calling. Use the three questions as a simple framework to reflect on your career, uncover what truly drives you, and take steps toward more meaningful, fulfilling work.

By Meg Harper on September 9, 2025

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As learning and development professionals, we spend a lot of time thinking about how others learn best. We design sessions, build curriculums, and coach individuals to reach their full potential. But here’s a question: when was the last time your own team attended training together?

Too often, we focus on sending individuals to workshops, with the assumption that learning is a solo journey.

By Melissa Satterfield on September 2, 2025

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What is it about a speaker that makes us say “wow?” When I think of the speakers I’ve seen over the years that have “wowed” me, I realize they all have one thing in common—polished presentation skills.

Although it can take years of practice to become a dynamic speaker, there are several “tricks of the trade” you can practice to help improve your presentations.

By Langevin Team on August 31, 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, effective leadership extends far beyond giving orders. It involves inspiring teams, making strategic decisions, and guiding organizations toward shared visions. But how do you accomplish this effectively? The key lies in utilizing appropriate leadership development tools. These aren’t flashy applications or gadgets — they’re practical, structured resources that facilitate leadership growth. Consider them a roadmap that guides you through challenging situations and enhances your capabilities. They function like a personal trainer for your career, helping you build the mental and emotional strength needed to excel.

By Langevin Team on August 27, 2025

Many companies focus on development, productivity, and scalability. To achieve workplace success, they utilize the latest digital transformations and skilled professionals. A person with extensive knowledge and experience is a valuable asset. Such individuals can resolve conflicts, lead teams, and manage effectively. Talent represents human capabilities within specific professions. Talent determines how a person communicates and handles responsibilities. Talent management has a direct impact on a company’s potential and development. Managers must properly oversee such personnel to achieve success.

By Meg Harper on August 26, 2025

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With virtual learning booming like never before, being a skilled virtual classroom facilitator is a must! It’s not just about knowing the tech. It’s about creating an environment that’s fun, engaging, and productive—just like a good old face-to-face classroom. But what exactly makes a virtual facilitator great? Let’s dive into the key characteristics that can turn your virtual sessions into a hit!

By Langevin Team on August 23, 2025

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. We’re often caught up in day-to-day activities, putting out fires and reacting to whatever comes next. But what if there was a better approach? What if you could:

• Anticipate challenges before they arise
• Identify opportunities others miss
• Guide your life or business with a clear, strategic plan

This is the power of forward thinking. It’s an approach to the world that extends beyond immediate concerns, allowing you to build a future by design rather than by accident.

By Dawn Lang on August 19, 2025

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I’m an avid tennis player. We start any practice, drill session, or match with a dynamic warm-up. The warm-up helps get our minds and bodies engaged and ready for tennis.

Engaging your learners as they join the virtual classroom is just as important. A warm-up sets the tone for the rest of the session. If the warm-up is dynamic and engaging, you’re more likely to have engaged learners for your virtual session.

By Langevin Team on August 19, 2025

Effective teamwork relies on strong communication structures and strategies that go far beyond ordinary conversations. Listening plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and achieving success. In collaborative environments, how team members listen directly impacts whether others understand the message being conveyed.

Leaders and employees often have different listening approaches. Understanding these various styles can significantly shape how information is processed and shared. Your listening style in communication directly affects your interactions with colleagues and your ability to grasp new ideas.

By Langevin Team on August 15, 2025

Organizational culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and practices that guide how employees and managers collaborate within a company. It plays a crucial role in decision-making processes and serves as a powerful tool for improving employee motivation and workflow efficiency. Strong teamwork requires both well-defined culture and effective management skills.

Culture forms the foundation of any successful business. It shapes both internal operations and external perceptions. A strong culture helps maintain brand reputation and creates competitive advantages.

By Marsha Weisleder on August 12, 2025

Have you ever wondered what happens when you bring a new group of people together in a training environment? They move through four key stages of group development. Bruce Tuckman outlined these as forming, storming, norming, and performing. In the forming stage, participants are polite and cautious. Then comes storming, where differences surface and people may struggle to work together. As they progress to norming, the group starts to find its rhythm, trust develops, and collaboration improves.

By Langevin Team on August 11, 2025

Michelle Thompson thought she’d found the perfect solution. Her company needed leadership development, so she hired someone advertised as a “corporate trainer” for $3,000. The two-day session was supposed to teach management fundamentals to fifteen rising stars in her organization.

Day one was chaos. Instead of explaining delegation techniques or performance management frameworks, the hired professional kept asking participants to “share experiences” and “discover insights together.” By lunch, frustrated employees were checking phones and whispering complaints.

By Langevin Team on August 7, 2025

Last Tuesday, marketing director Jennifer sent a simple email to her team: “Need the campaign materials ready for next week’s launch.” Seems clear enough. But chaos followed. Designer Mike prepared social media graphics for Monday. Content writer Lisa finished blog posts for Wednesday. The video team delivered materials for Friday. Three different interpretations of “next week’s launch” created a $15,000 budget overrun and delayed the entire campaign.

This exact scenario happened at a Fortune 500 company last month.

By Marsha Weisleder on August 5, 2025

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Whether or not to change table groups—it’s a question many facilitators are confronted with daily. And there are pros and cons on both sides.

Let’s consider some of the pros. When we collaborate with new people, we are building our network. We also gain fresh perspectives and insights, which can lead to better outcomes and results.

But what about the cons? Have you thought about what happens when you bring a new group of people together in a training environment?

By Langevin Team on August 3, 2025

Marcus Chen’s frustration boiled over during the Monday morning team meeting. His company’s top data scientist had just submitted her resignation – the third key employee to leave in six months. Each exit interview told the same story: talented professionals seeking organizations that invested in their future rather than just extracting current value.

The pattern was becoming expensive. Recruitment costs alone hit $180,000 last quarter. Training replacements consumed manager time and delayed critical projects.

By Meg Harper on July 29, 2025

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At some point in your career, you’ve probably sat through a training session and thought, “Do I really need this?” Maybe it was a refresher on something you already knew. Or worse, something that didn’t even apply to your job. On the flip side, you might have struggled with a task and wished someone had given you proper training in the first place. 

The truth is that training can be incredibly valuable—but it’s not a magic fix for every workplace issue.

By Langevin Team on July 24, 2025

Regardless of age, everyone strives to develop and improve their skills throughout life. Learning is a continuous journey that begins in childhood and extends well into our senior years. We set goals, pursue meaningful careers, and constantly seek new knowledge.

In adulthood, learning strengthens leadership qualities and develops expertise in specific fields. Adult learning techniques must be both engaging and productive to achieve real results. Adults participate in online courses, attend seminars, and pursue advanced training opportunities.

By Langevin Team on July 22, 2025

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A behavior model is a presentation method in which a desirable behavior is shown to participants, either through a live or pre-recorded demonstration by the instructor. The behavior is then analyzed and studied.

When Should You Use One?

A behavior model is used to demonstrate interpersonal skills (e.g. interview a candidate, handle sales objections, provide feedback, etc.) and should be used when the skill involves human-to-human interaction and the rationale for the behavior needs to be understood.

By Langevin Team on July 20, 2025

In today’s workplace, cohesive teams are essential for organizational success across all industries. Building strong foundations for effective team leadership is crucial for business growth. Facilitation involves developing strong leadership qualities that emphasize communication and group management over traditional authority. Facilitation serves as an essential tool for productive discussions and effective meeting management. Facilitation skills courses provide the best approach for strengthening leadership qualities and building management capabilities. Today, leadership skills are essential in hybrid, remote, and cross-functional work environments.

By Langevin Team on July 16, 2025

In today’s competitive business environment, successful teams focus on maximizing productivity and leveraging available opportunities. Modern organizations face increasingly complex challenges that require strategic solutions. Effective managers efficiently handle team responsibilities while leaders communicate clearly and manage corporate environments successfully. Teams concentrate on achieving success and operational efficiency for business growth. However, many organizations face complex challenges that require external expertise. Performance consulting provides the specialized solutions needed to address these issues. Consultants work directly with managers, directors, and company leaders to identify improvement opportunities.

By Dawn Lang on July 15, 2025

If learner engagement is the goal, then why not design for it from the start?

Here’s a quick tip to make e-learning modules more engaging: try mixing passive and active frames. Use passive frames to introduce or summarize content, then switch to active frames to get learners interacting and thinking. Alternating between the two frame types helps maintain momentum and avoids overwhelming or boring your audience. And don’t forget the importance of meaningful feedback to reinforce learning and correct mistakes.

By Langevin Team on July 12, 2025

In today’s digital landscape, professionals are continuously developing new skills and expertise. Designers play a crucial role in creating engaging and effective educational content. Beyond content creation, choosing the right learning approach for students is essential. Adults learn most effectively through hands-on experience and practical application of knowledge. Instructional designers create comprehensive learning experiences, not just visual materials. Creating well-organized, data-driven content engages learners effectively. Designers apply educational theories and best practices to ensure learning success.

By Langevin Team on July 8, 2025

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a vital meeting turned into a chaotic mess? Participants talk at the same time, decisions are not made, and time is wasted. Many managers and teams face this painful problem every day — ineffective meetings, group conflicts, and an inability to reach consensus.

Without professional facilitation skills, even the most talented professionals can struggle to run a productive session or resolve a complex discussion.

By Dawn Lang on July 8, 2025

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Are your e-learning modules dry and boring? Let’s fix that! Many designers face the challenge of creating e-learning that’s engaging. One of the best strategies for creating meaningful interactivity is to thoughtfully design active and passive frames. 

What are active and passive frames? Simply put, active frames engage learners by requiring their input, decision-making, or exploration. “Act to reveal” and decision-based frames are examples of active frames that cognitively engage learners.  

By Langevin Team on July 4, 2025

You are a talented expert in your field, but when it comes to passing on your knowledge to others, something seems to go wrong. Participants yawn, the material isn’t absorbed, and training becomes torture for everyone. Many professionals face this painful reality — despite their deep knowledge, they are unable to communicate it effectively.

A lack of teaching skills turns even the most valuable content into a boring lecture. The result? Demotivated students, low training effectiveness, and your growing frustration at your inability to convey important information.

By Melissa Satterfield on July 1, 2025

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When it comes to designing impactful learning experiences, setting clear and measurable learning objectives is crucial. These objectives act as a roadmap, guiding the learners towards the desired outcome.  

In this article, I’ll explore three essential steps to craft objectives that truly hit the mark. By following these steps, you can ensure your instructional goals are performance-based, clear, and measurable. 

Write SMART Objectives 

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

By Meg Harper on June 24, 2025

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Being a manager is no easy task. It’s not just about overseeing tasks or projects—it’s about leading people, solving problems, and making decisions that impact the whole team, or even the entire company. That’s why management skills training is so crucial. Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned leader, there’s always room to grow. 

Let’s explore why management skills training matters and how it can help leaders succeed in today’s fast-paced work environment.

By Dawn Lang on June 17, 2025

Worried about project risks throwing your timeline off track? The trick is to stay ahead with a simple, effective risk analysis. When you identify potential issues with your team and know when to prevent, prepare for, or ignore certain risks, you’ll find it easier to stay in control. Don’t let unexpected resource, scheduling, or quality-related problems derail your progress—and remember to revisit your risk analysis often to keep your projects running smoothly.

Additional Resource – Managing Project Risks: A Practical Guide for Project Managers

Master the tools and techniques used by top project managers worldwide in our hands-on Practical Project Management workshop.

By Dawn Lang on June 10, 2025

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Let’s be honest, every project has its “uh-oh” moments. But what if you could spot those issues before they turn into full-blown disasters? That’s where risk management comes in. Think of it as your project’s early warning system.

Here’s a simple, practical approach to tackle risks and keep things moving forward:

Kick Things Off with a Risk Assessment

Start by gathering the right people—your go-to problem solvers.

By Laura Welsh on June 3, 2025

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As a new manager, dealing with conflict can feel daunting. It’s a situation no one looks forward to, but handling disagreements effectively is a crucial part of leadership. Fortunately, with the right mindset and tools, you can turn these challenging moments into growth opportunities for yourself and your team.

Stay Calm and Listen

Your first step in managing conflict is to keep your cool.

By Marsha Weisleder on May 27, 2025

To help improve learner engagement and encourage deeper learning during training, it’s important to ask better questions. When you use the six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy—knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation—you’ll be able to structure your questions to guide learners from basic recall to critical thinking. This approach helps create more interactive, thoughtful, and impactful learning experiences, turning passive listeners into active participants.

Additional Resource: How to Use the 6 Levels of Questions in Training

For an even greater impact, consider the essential strategies offered in our How Adults Learn workshop.

By Marsha Weisleder on May 20, 2025

Photo by: PeopleImages via Canva

Are you asking the right questions in your training sessions? Well-crafted questions don’t just check for understanding—they ignite curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and create meaningful discussions. For adult learners, the right questions can transform passive listening into active engagement.

In fact, there are six levels of questions, based on Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

By Langevin Team on May 13, 2025

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One of the challenges trainers face in the classroom is keeping learners focused and engaged. With the constant pull of smartphones, laptops, and other distractions, it’s easy for participants to drift away from the content. However, by setting clear expectations, reading the room, and adjusting as needed, trainers can create a more engaging and effective learning environment.  

We’ll share a few practical strategies to help minimize distractions, enhance participation, and ensure your learners get the most out of their training experience. 

By Langevin Team on May 6, 2025

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In many training sessions, the issue regarding “prisoners” comes up, particularly as it relates to mandatory training. It becomes obvious the learners don’t want to be there, and the ongoing question is how to motivate them.  

Mandatory training is a reality in highly regulated industries. But, quite often, it is poorly designed, which leaves very little flexibility for the trainer.

By Alan Magnan on April 29, 2025

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The internet has fragmented workplaces around the world. And that’s not a bad thing. You can now collaborate with as many people as needed across any distance. This new reality has transformed every aspect of office work—from R&D to customer service, and from finance to operations. So how do we adapt as training professionals?

Here are some tips for delivering training to a collection of learners who may be any combination of in-person groupings and logged-in remote attendees.

By Allie Andrusiak on April 22, 2025

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While the hybrid model, which combines remote and in-person work, is now widely adopted in many organizations, it introduces unique challenges to employee training and development. If you’re an instructional designer, the pressure is on you to create equitable, engaging learning experiences for everyone, regardless of where they are located. 

As instructional designers, we must acknowledge that designing hybrid training requires a shift in mindset.

By Dawn Lang on April 15, 2025

Bringing a new instructor on board? As a training manager, one of your key responsibilities is to ensure new instructors are fully prepared to step into the classroom with confidence. Discover three essential steps to set your new instructors up for success. From providing the right tools and mentorship to observation and hands-on practice, these strategies will help them deliver engaging training sessions that enhance employee performance.

Additional Resource: Are Your New Instructors Ready to Fly Solo?

By Dawn Lang on April 8, 2025

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Imagine you’re on a flight, and the captain comes over the intercom:

“Hello, everyone, and welcome aboard. I’m your captain today. Well, actually, it’s my first time in the cockpit—I just graduated! Don’t worry, though. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and read the manual cover to cover. We should be fine!”

Imagine the sinking feeling in your stomach. Now, think about this scenario in the context of your new instructors.

By Meg Harper on April 1, 2025

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Training Needs Analysis (TNA)—those three words can cause a bit of unease among management. Many managers and supervisors just want their training requests fulfilled without much fuss. But as a training professional, you know your role is not about taking orders. You’re here to dig deeper, figure out what’s really causing performance issues, and then offer the best solution. 

But how can you get to the root of the problem without looking into each situation?

By Melissa Satterfield on March 25, 2025

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I remember giving my business card to someone who questioned my title. They knew I was in the training industry, but didn’t know the details of my job. I realized they weren’t questioning my abilities, as much as what the title meant. The title I’m referring to is, “Performance Consultant.”

What ensued was a quick, down-and-dirty, five-minute explanation of the performance consultant role, and how it’s both different and similar to a traditional training role.

By Marsha Weisleder on March 18, 2025

Have you ever tried to pick up a skill you haven’t used in years, only to feel completely out of sorts and rusty? Whether it’s playing an instrument, speaking a language, or doing something you once loved, getting back into the groove can feel tricky. But don’t worry. With the help of job aids, positive reinforcement, and consistent practice, it’s easier than you think to get back into the rhythm.

Just like relearning the piano, skill development relies on the right tools, a positive mindset, consistent practice, and more.

By Meg Harper on March 11, 2025

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Training is about more than transferring knowledge and skills; it’s about development and connection. Using emotional intelligence (EI) can reshape how trainers connect with learners and foster meaningful growth. 

What is Emotional Intelligence? 

Emotional intelligence, often abbreviated as EI or EQ (emotional quotient), is the ability to understand, manage, and use emotions effectively in various situations. It involves four key components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

By Laura Welsh on March 4, 2025

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In part one of this blog series, I shared four preparation tips I learned in my university public speaking course. Each one helped me in my current role as a virtual classroom producer at Langevin. Now, let’s move on to being face-to-face with your audience. As I mentioned in my last blog, public speaking can stir up a lot of complex feelings and anxiety. So, I’m here to save the day!

By Laura Welsh on February 25, 2025

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I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. I was in university and scrolling through my course options for the upcoming semester. I stopped in my tracks when I saw it listed and thought, “Heck no, I will NEVER take this course.” You may be asking what course it was. Well, the subject was none other than, public speaking.  

I’m guessing you can figure out how that went, considering I am writing this blog.

By Marsha Weisleder on February 18, 2025

Captivate your virtual classroom audience with the power of your voice! Learn tips to improve your speaking skills and keep learners interested with the right pacing, clear language, and a simple smile! Master these techniques to elevate your virtual teaching experience and leave a lasting impression on your learners.

Additional Resource: 5 Tips to Enhance Your Speaking Skills in the Virtual Classroom

Want to take your virtual classroom skills even further?

By Marsha Weisleder on February 11, 2025

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How do we keep our learners engaged in the virtual classroom? It’s one of our biggest challenges. We know that learner engagement is a crucial part of what makes a virtual session, and the facilitator, successful. But did you know the most engaging tool you have at your disposal is your voice? In the virtual classroom, we need to be very aware of our vocal skills, much more than we do in our typical day.

By Dawn Lang on February 4, 2025

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As a facilitator, you may encounter negativity in your training sessions. This negativity might be exhibited in various ways—such as disengagement or resistance to participation—and may derail learning discussions or exercises. Negativity can taint the experience for trainees who want to learn. A negative training environment can even block learning from occurring, which can have a detrimental impact on successful job performance.

By Laura Welsh on January 28, 2025

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The Learning and Development industry is evolving fast, and AI is here to shake things up—in the best way possible. Whether you’re designing e-learning modules, virtual classroom courses, or instructor-led training, AI can be your new secret weapon. Let’s look at some practical ways you can use AI that will make you wonder how you ever worked without it.

1. Personalize Learning for Everyone

Have you ever wished you could customize your courses for each learner without losing your mind?

By Melissa Satterfield on January 21, 2025

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If you’re a training professional, chances are you’ve heard the name Malcolm Knowles. Born in 1913, Knowles was an influential American educator who popularized the concept of “andragogy.” While “andragogy” might sound like a daunting medical term, it actually refers to the art and science of how adults learn.  

In the 1970’s (original) and early 1980’s (revised), Knowles developed a set of core adult learning principles that have since become foundational in instructional design and training delivery.

By Marsha Weisleder on January 14, 2025

Discover how to enhance your training with gamification! Use these three steps to make your courses more engaging and interactive: create compelling challenges, incorporate game-based elements like points and levels, and define clear success metrics. Gamification doesn’t have to be complicated—start small and watch your learners thrive!

Are you ready to design e-learning courses that engage your learners and increase retention? Why not take your online courses to the next level using interactive scenarios, software simulations, and gamification?

By Meg Harper on January 7, 2025

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These days, it feels like almost everything has gone virtual—from banking to shopping, socializing, and, of course, learning. While many online tasks are a breeze to handle solo, when it comes to delivering synchronous or virtual classroom training for your organization, having a producer by your side can make all the difference.

As someone who’s part of a virtual classroom facilitation team—a producer, in fact—I can attest that having a producer as a co-facilitator is a game-changer!

By Marsha Weisleder on December 17, 2024

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Are you facilitating a meeting or session? Are you worried about wasting everyone’s time? I’m sure we’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting and you have no idea why you’re there. All you can think about is the work piling up on your desk. Let’s review two key ingredients for a successful session.

Objective

Once we establish the session is necessary, we identify the objective for the session.

By Laura Welsh on December 10, 2024

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Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” This quote has stuck with me for many years because of its simplicity and truthfulness.

As a manager, whether you manage a training department or another team or department within your organization, it’s important to stay organized. There’s always something unexpected that comes up, quite often at the most inconvenient time.

By Dawn Lang on December 3, 2024

What’s a practical yet powerful tool for leading successful training sessions? The agenda! Discover how creating a clear, action-oriented list of topics helps instructors stay organized and allows learners to see exactly what’s in store. Whether you’re instructing in-person or online, integrating an agenda can enhance engagement, structure, and clarity in every session.

Additional Resource: The Value of Using an Agenda: A Guide for New Instructors

And for even greater impact, consider the essential strategies offered in the How Adults Learn workshop.

By Dawn Lang on November 26, 2024

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Have you ever started a road trip without a map or GPS, thinking you’d just figure it out along the way? The chances of getting lost—or at least delayed—are pretty high. Teaching without an agenda can feel a lot like that. Yogi Berra captured this perfectly when he said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”

As a new instructor, one of the most effective tools you can use in your training room is a well-structured agenda.

By Meg Harper on November 19, 2024

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Hey there, fellow learning and development professionals! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rookie facilitator, the way you kick off your training sets the tone for the entire course. So, grab your virtual whistle and let’s explore some tips on how to introduce a training session with flair.

1. Start with a Bang

Picture this: You walk into a room, and the trainer greets you with a smile, energy through the roof, and a contagious enthusiasm.

By Dawn Lang on November 12, 2024

As a new facilitator, you’re stepping into a crucial role where you can significantly impact the learning and development of your colleagues. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is keeping your learners engaged and actively participating. Engagement is key to effective learning and it’s essential to create an environment where participants are motivated, attentive, and active.

Here are eight tips to help increase participation and involvement from your LEARNERS:

1.

By Marsha Weisleder on November 5, 2024

Are you using AI to enhance your instructional design? While AI won’t replace the creativity and expertise of designers, it can be a handy tool when used correctly. There will always be a need for the human insight and critical thinking that instructional designers bring to the table. But AI can act as a valuable assistant, helping you save time and bringing a new layer of efficiency to your projects.

Additional Resource: Elevate Your Instructional Design with AI

If you’re ready to discover how AI can advance your instructional design approach, don’t miss this workshop: Enhancing Instructional Design with AI.

By Marsha Weisleder on October 29, 2024

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Designers, are you curious about artificial intelligence (AI) and how you can use it to streamline your work? In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying ahead requires more than just traditional instructional design techniques. Enter the transformative power of AI. Our course, Enhancing Instructional Design with AI, is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to harness AI’s potential so you can streamline critical design tasks.

By Meg Harper on October 22, 2024

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Investing in a training consultant might seem like a big decision, but it’s one that can offer substantial returns for your business. Think of it as bringing in a specialist who can fine-tune your operations, boost your team’s skills, and, ultimately, drive your company forward. Let’s dive into six key benefits of hiring a training consultant and why it might just be the best move for your business.

By Marsha Weisleder on October 15, 2024

 Performance appraisals are essential for your team’s development. Be sure to take the time to prepare impactful feedback, promote open dialogue with your employees, and set clear goals for future growth. By following these tips, you’ll not only enhance your employees’ development and motivation but also contribute to your organization’s success. This practical advice will help shape a better future for your team!

Additional Resource: How to Master Performance Appraisals

The ability to conduct effective performance appraisals and provide regular, helpful feedback are just two of the key skills covered in the Evidence-Based Management and Leadership workshop.

By Marsha Weisleder on October 8, 2024

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Oh no, it’s time for that dreaded conversation. Managers, you know the one. It happens once a year: the annual performance appraisal. According to Gallup, only 14% of employees strongly agree that their performance reviews inspire them to improve. Yes, the onus is on the employees to improve, but our support is crucial in helping them achieve their goals.

Here are eight key steps to conduct an effective performance appraisal:

Prepare Thoughtful Feedback

Before the meeting, take the time to gather specific examples of the employee’s performance.

By Marsha Weisleder on October 1, 2024

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Teaching adult learners can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Sometimes, we are faced with difficult participants in the classroom. You’ve got the prisoner, latecomer, sleeper, know-it-all, sidebar chatter, bored, confused, domineering, challenger, and preoccupied, just to name a few.

So, what’s a trainer to do?

First, let’s think about how we can prevent this from happening in the first place.

By Dawn Lang on September 24, 2024

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Have you ever applied for a home loan or refinanced your existing home loan? If you have, you know it can be a long, tedious, and frustrating process. Often there’s too much time spent on the process, an abundance of paperwork to sign, too many fees, and too many people involved. By the end of the process, you may even wonder why you bothered in the first place.

By Langevin Team on September 17, 2024

As training professionals, it is essential to create a lasting impression for our learners. We have a unique opportunity to make people feel good while teaching them new skills. But what about when transitioning from instructor-led training to a virtual environment? It can sometimes pose challenges for connecting with your audience. However, despite not being face-to-face, it’s possible to create a warm, welcoming, and unforgettable experience for your learners.

While you’re here, have a peek at The Virtual Trainer workshop.