Instructional design means simply “the ability to develop a course that changes people’s behavior.” You’ll use the same basic rules to develop a course whether you are teaching in-person or online.

These three steps will help you build a strong, effective blueprint for your course.

1.  Develop a purpose statement.

State in clear language who your audience is and what the topic is. The statement should be fairly broad. Here are examples:

“The purpose of this training session is to help front-line supervisors write e-mails more clearly and concisely.”

“The purpose of this training session is to teach clients how to use to use Calypso effectively.”

“The purpose of this training session is to improve the presentation skills of accounting professionals.”

2. Ask yourself, “What will the learners be able to DO by the end of this session?”

Keep in mind the length of your session. As an example, let’s say that the first example above is a two-hour course. You might say:

By the end of this session, front-line supervisors will be able to:

1.    Explain at least five etiquette rules for writing clear e-mails.

2.    Correct basic punctuation in several e-mails, and be able to describe the rules used.

3.    Compose and send an e-mail that integrates these etiquette and punctuation rules.

These statements are called learning objectives, or learning outcomes. They act as “buckets” for your content. By figuring these out early on, it becomes very clear what your content should be.

Brainstorm as many ideas, topics, and activities as you can to fit into each bucket. Then select ONLY the two to three most important topics and/or activities within each bucket.

This is your content—nothing more. (At this point, it’s important to remember the adage: Less is more!)

Flesh out what you will say and do for each of the topics and activities you identified. Don’t stray outside the buckets you have chosen!

3. Create a test for each bucket.

Creating simple tests allows you to check how well learners are absorbing the information. It also allows you to develop interesting and relevant learning activities.

To create a test, simply take your “buckets” and turn them into questions or activities. For the example we have been using, this might mean:

(For bucket #1 above:) Ask: “What are at least five etiquette rules for writing clear e-mails?” (Learners can work together to reflect on the answers, individually write them down and discuss with a neighbor, use the chat box if online…)

(For bucket #2 above:) Provide several e-mails with incorrect punctuation and instruct the learners to correct them, then call on various learners to describe the rules used (can be done both in classroom and on-line.)

(For bucket #3 above:) Request that the learners compose and send you an e-mail that integrates these rules, then provide quick reminders and feedback.

Instructional design isn’t difficult. However, it does demand that you create a clear blueprint…and think in terms of buckets!

For more information on course design, see our blog entries at http://www.guilamuir.com/category/blog/training-development/.

For a longer version of this article, see http://www.guilamuir.com/blog/the-seven-laws-of-training-what-managers-must-know/.

Learn the secrets and skills of course design! http://www.guilamuir.com/courses/train-the-trainer/instructional-design-made-easy/

Related posts:

1. How to Build “Home-Grown” Trainers
2. The Seven Laws of Training: What Managers Must Know
3. Train! Facilitate! Present! Volume 4, #2

In the interest of advancing further research, I submit these very common blunders, and give you the tools you need to prevent them.

Most Common Presentation Skills Blunders: MEN

1.  Guys, you wander aimlessly too much. Move with purpose ONLY. Pacing or shuffling weaken your delivery and your message.

The best reasons to move are:

• When you are changing a subject.
• When you are changing an emotion.
• When you’ve been in one place for the entire time.

Stand and deliver, then move.

2.  Get those thumbs out of your pockets or your waistband. This posture is called “genital framing.” Do you really want to express “check me out, I am a virile male” during a high-stakes financial talk? (Or maybe you do…What do I know?)

Instead, use your hands and arms in a natural way to emphasize your words. You can even just let your arms hang down at your sides (now that feels weird, doesn’t it?)  Just don’t tuck your hands away…anywhere.

Most Common Presentation Skills Blunders: WOMEN

1.  Read the following. Is Mary credible?

“Hello. My name is Mary Smith? I am the communications director? And I’ve worked here 15 years?”

I’ll bet your answer is NO.  Mary just sabotaged herself, big-time. Even if she is most credible person in the company, she now has to earn back the credibility she lost through the upward inflection at the end of her sentences.

Professor Yia Hei Kao of Claremont University is just one of many researchers and linguists who have found that when women end their sentences with an  upward lilt, they project uncertainty, tentativeness, and the desire to please others.

Women, is THAT how you want to come across? We no longer need permission to speak, so why act as if we do?

Practice introducing yourself. Listen for the upward swing at the end of the sentences. Enlist someone else to help if you are not sure what you’re hearing. End your sentences with a downward inflection. This “fix” is one of the most important things you can do to increase your credibility as a speaker.

2. Stand evenly on both feet. Don’t heap your weight onto one hip. This “cheerleader” stance makes you look like you’re posing for a photo shoot. To come across as grounded and powerful, BE grounded from the floor up.

OK, men and women. I hope these tips help you. Share them with those of the same and the opposite gender. Let’s all work towards a world full of improved presentations!

Related posts:

1. The “Intensified You:” Key to Giving a Great Presentation
2. Manage Your Presentation Nerves!
3. 3 Words to Weaken Your Presentation

How Smiling Helps

The act of smiling changes our brain chemistry for the better. An authentic smile can:

• Boost mood and confidence by increasing serotonin, norepinephrine and endorphins.
• Lower heart rate, and
• Reduce anxiety.

These chemical changes obviously benefit presenters.

An authentic smile also makes other people feel good. An audience that feels good makes our job as presenters easier. In fact, when people see a smile, the reward centers of their brains turns on, making them happier. Who doesn’t want a happy audience?

So what could possibly be the down side of smiling?

How Smiling Hurts

Among primates, smiling means submission, “I am not a threat.” We humans still read smiling this way. Oversmiling makes you appear less confident and more desirous of approval. (NOT how you want to be perceived as a presenter!)

Most studies find that in general, women smile more than men. In fact, research involving nearly 110,000 people found that smiling is females’ default option.  Audiences may perceive a constantly smiling female presenter as less competent and knowledgeable than a less-smiling female or a male. But males can oversmile, too.

To Smile or Not to Smile?

Here’s how I would answer that question. Before presenting, prepare yourself:

1. Pump up your enjoyment level. Tell yourself, “I will enjoy this,” or “I feel great,” or “the audience is my friend.” Allow yourself to feel positive.

2. Feel an authentic smile engendered by positive thoughts. Feeling 100% present, smile as you introduce yourself and take ownership of the presentation space.

3. Gradually and naturally, let your introductory (and authentic) smile fade as you get further into the material.

4. Be willing to smile and laugh naturally throughout your presentation. Always smile when welcoming people back from a break.

The bottom line is, as usual: Be yourself, with an addendum: Watch your smiles!

Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

Related posts:

1. The 12 Most Persuasive Words in the English Language
2. Presentation Skills: How to Prevent “Drowning”
3. 3 Rules for Excellent Presentations

Every effective presentation persuades the listener. Certain words persuade people more effectively than others.

Going back to 1963, expert speakers have identified these twelve words as the most persuasive in the English language. Try using one or two in your next presentation, and watch for changes in how people react to your message.

1. You: Personalize your speech so that your listeners feel you are talking directly to them. (Example: Ask, “What does this mean to you?” and stick in a benefit.)

2. Discovery: What an exciting and enthusiastic feeling from childhood this conjures!

3. Easy: Your audience wants more ease in their busy lives. What can you offer?

4. Guarantee: Remove the feeling of risk. Make people feel safe. (Which brings us to:)

5. Safety: This word conjures comfort and eases people’s fears.

6. Save: Everyone loves to save money and time. Make the most of this word!

7. Health: Your listeners gravitate toward self-preservation. See if you can make a connection to your topic.

8. Love: Don’t overuse it. It’s one of the most powerful words when you know what your audience loves the most (Family? Security? Safety? Income?)

9. New: Freshness, innovation, change…people like new “stuff.”

10. Proven: The opposite of ‘new,’ this word ensures us that we are not taking risks. Be sure to back this one with data.

11. Results: What people will get, how they will benefit. Very powerful!

12. Free: Don’t forget the different definitions of this word: not only free of charge, but also freedom of movement and choice. This word gives the hope of liberation and expansion.

ALL these words involve emotion. Don’t be afraid to use them, as emotion is the key to persuasiveness.

Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

Related posts:

1. All Presenting Is Persuasive
2. 3 Words to Weaken Your Presentation
3. I May Be Dyslexic in One Language, but Not in Another

Andy Eklund, a presentation skills expert, tells us:

“The vast majority of people are at least 50% less dynamic when sitting down, because their body movements are halved … and perhaps as much as 75% because everything else is restricted too. It’s more difficult to breath properly, which means it’s harder to project your voice. Hand gestures diminish, if not disappear. Eye contact disappears too because the person tends to read what’s in front of them.”

I want you to stand when you present because I want you to be powerful. I’m providing my favorite mottos and metaphors to help you remember to stand tall. Note: Please stand up NOW to try them out—you’ll find a favorite to use the next time you present.

*Imagine that your vertebrae are separated by small pockets of air.*

or

*Roll your shoulders “into your back pockets.”* (This opens your chest.)

or

*Imagine a string attached to the crown of your head, gently pulling it up while your chin relaxes downwards.* (Don’t lead with your chin.)

or

*Lengthen your neck and all else will follow.*

or

*Create  “cleavage” in your back, between your shoulder blades.* (woo-hoo!)

or

*Point your chest to the place across the room where the wall meets the ceiling.*

or

*Simply think “UP.”*

Remember-it’s not about rigidity, it’s about grace, strength and power as a presenter.

Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

Related posts:

1. Does Smiling Help or Hurt Presenters?
2. Presentation Skills: How to Prevent “Drowning”
3. The 12 Most Persuasive Words in the English Language

1. Passionate Curiosity

What it looks like: Engagement with the world, relentless questioning of the status quo. What it might sound like:

• “Why does it work this way?”
• “What are people’s stories?”
• “What’s the big picture?”
• “Why?”

2. Battle-Hardened Confidence

What it looks like: A track record of overcoming adversity. What it might sound like:

• “I don’t blame others.”
• “I have the ability to shape events and circumstances.”
• “I don’t quit.”

3. Team Smarts

What it looks like: A highly-honed understanding of people and group dynamics. What it might sound like:

• “_____ has an important point. Let’s listen to him/her.”
• “What do we need to change to work together better?”
• “I’m sensing discomfort. Let’s talk about what’s happening here.”

4. Simple Mind-Set

What it looks like: Speaking concisely; the ability to ‘connect the dots.’ What it might sound like:

• “Let’s cut to the chase.”
• “Here is the core point.”

5. Fearlessness

What it looks like: Comfortable being uncomfortable. What it might sound like:

• “This is an opportunity.”
• “I’m willing to take a chance here.”
• “I’m hungry for change and can manage it.”

All five of these characteristics can be developed through attitude, habit and discipline. If you are an emerging leader, practice the mind-set of these phrases. Soon, you’ll feel comfortable practicing the underlying behavior as well!

Read more articles about Presentation Skills. Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

No related posts.

Before you present: Clarifying the purpose helps you avoid a data-dump. You will design your presentation with a focused viewpoint and avoid excess content. Because you are designing more efficiently, you save tons of time and energy.

As you present: By stating your presentation’s purpose in the first few minutes, you shape your audience’s expectations. You also make an overt commitment to achieving that purpose. This adds to your credibility as a speaker.

Here are a couple of examples:

• “The purpose of my presentation is to inform you of the new changes in our contract.”
• “My purpose today is to introduce the preliminary findings of our report.”
• “Today I will show you the 5 benefits of our new venture.”

Why Don’t More Presenters Do This?

I have three big guesses as to why more presenters don’t develop and use a clear, concise purpose statement.

1. The lure of PowerPoint. Even though using PowerPoint to organize a presentation almost guarantees a data dump-style presentation, many presenters have grown up thinking this is the only way.

I have nothing against using PowerPoint as a tool once you have clarified the presentation purpose. In fact, I suggest putting your purpose statement on the very first PowerPoint slide!

2. The belief that the audience already knows what you are going to say. Your audience may know the fuzzy parameters of your speech. It’s your job to shape their expectations toward what you want to say.

3. Ignorance. Many presenters simply have never considered the importance of using a presentation purpose statement to guide their process.

Where to Start

The best way to develop your purpose statement is to start with this bare-bones template:

“The purpose of my presentation is to:

(1) verb

(2) audience (you can say “you” here)

to

(3) topic.”

Examples #1 and #2 above follow this template. Example #3 throws in a little “what’s in it for you” statement. All are effective.

My Challenge to You

Try it out! Create a purpose statement for your very next presentation. If you already have a presentation that lacks a purpose statement, develop one NOW and use it the next time you present.

You will find yourself and your audience more focused on the message. Let me know how it goes!

Read more articles about Presentation Skills. Learn about Guila Muir’s Presentation Skills Workshops.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

Related posts:

1. Five Tips to Present Like a Pro
2. The 12 Most Persuasive Words in the English Language
3. All Presenting Is Persuasive

What is an Outcome-Based Agenda?

Put simply, an outcome-based agenda is a plan that states “what will have changed” by the end of the meeting.

You, the meeting leader, develop and execute the meeting outcomes. These serve as your job description for the meeting’s duration.

Meeting outcomes always begin with the words, “By the end of this meeting, we will have…” The verb you choose to finish this statement is of utmost importance.

Do you see the difference in the examples below? They are listed in the order of complexity:

• “By the end of this meeting, we will have discussed…”
• “By the end of this meeting, we will have brainstormed…”
• “By the end of this meeting, we will have decided…”

The biggest mistake meeting leaders make is to promise more than the meeting can deliver, based on the time allotted. By taking the time to figure out exactly what is achievable in the time allotted, and by stating it using the future perfect form of the verb (“will have ________ed)” the meeting leader has a much better chance at success.

How to Develop an Outcome-Based Agenda

1. Get input from stakeholders. (Stakeholders may include meeting members, their bosses, or anyone with a “stake” in the ultimate meeting product.) Ask them, “What do you think should be included in our next agenda?”

Stakeholder input is essential. However, it’s YOUR job to synthesize the input you receive, and to weigh and decide what can realistically be accomplished in the time that you have for the meeting.

2.  Using stakeholder input as the core, create the meeting outcome statement. Always begin with the words, “By the end of this meeting, we (or you) will have…” Choose a verb that is achievable in the time frame allotted. For example, for a 45-minute, very first meeting, one outcome might be:

“By the end of this meeting, we will have learned more about the problem and brainstormed possible solutions.”

If your meeting is ninety minutes long, you could say instead: “By the end of this meeting, we will have:

• learned more about the problem,
• brainstormed possible solutions, and
• made preliminary choices of the best solutions.”

Can you sense the difference in time needed for these two very different sorts of meetings?

3.  Put the outcome statements at the top of the agenda.

E-mail them to meeting members. Write them on the whiteboard and state them at the beginning of the meeting. Any way you can, make it very clear what “will have changed” as a result of the meeting.

Guess what? By using these guidelines to develop and use an achievable outcome statement, your meetings will become shorter, less painful, and more productive. I guarantee it!

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help you improve your meetings! http://www.guilamuir.com/courses/facilitation-skills-training/

Related posts:

1. 3 Tips to Tame Unruly Meetings, Part Two
2. Meetings, Bloody Meetings!
3. How to Keep Meetings Active and Productive

1. Provide the gist, the core concept, first.

Verbalize and show your session’s purpose within the first few minutes of your presentation or training. Medina claims that you will see a 40% improvement in understanding if you provide general concepts first.

2. Give an overview of the class at the beginning, and sprinkle liberal repetitions of ‘where we are now’ throughout.

Provide clear transitions and summaries throughout your session. Clearly and repetitively explain linkages.

3. Bait the hook.

Every ten minutes, Medina gives his audiences a break from the firehose of information by sending “emotionally competent stimuli” (yet another word for ‘hook.’) A hook can be a surprising fact, anecdote, or question, and must must trigger an emotion: anxiety, laughter, nostalgia, etc. It must also be relevant. Use hooks at the beginning of each module.

Research suggests that by using these skills, you will prevent your audiences from “checking out” during your presentation.  Not only that, but these 3 tips will enable  you to enjoy presenting more. Have fun!

Learn about Training Development. Read more articles about training.

Guila Muir has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

© 2010 Guila Muir. All rights reserved.
You may make copies of this article and distribute in any media so long as you change nothing, credit the author, and include this copyright notice and web address.

Related posts:

1. RULES? Who Needs RULES? Part One
2. Train! Facilitate! Present! Volume 4, #2
3. Training Techniques to Boost Retention

There is a scientifically sound way to boost your brain power, pick up your energy, and improve your focus as a trainer. Although it’s very complicated and takes years of schooling and practice (Ha!), anyone can do it. The scientific cure to your fuzzy brain is to go outside.

In a world where many people suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder (go ahead, look it up) the science is clear. Merely seeing nature makes you healthier, even it you view it through a window.¹ Getting out into the natural world is even better. Many studies confirm that simply by going outside, you positively impact your blood pressure, cholesterol, stress, and outlook on life.²

What do these findings have to do with training? Here are my thoughts on the matter.

• Sluggish brains make sluggish training. Wake yourself up by taking a quick walk.
• You bring an “incomplete self” into training when you feel separate from the natural world. Call it integrity, holism, spirituality or synthesis, you owe it to yourself and to your participants to be your “whole self” when educating others.
• Walking in nature makes you smarter. An experimental study showed that people who walk in nature perform cognitive tasks 20% better than those who walk in an urban setting.³ Don’t you want to maintain that mental edge in front of your class?

Get out, walk, and enjoy…your training will improve as a result. You can count on it!

1. Kaplan, 1992a; Lewis, 1996; Leather et al., 1998

2. Moore, 1981; Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989; Hartig et al., 1991; Ulrich et al., 1991a; Rohde and Kendle, 1994; Lewis, 1996; Leather et al., 1998

3. Berman, Jonides, Kaplan, 2008

Learn about Training Development. Read more articles about training.

Guila Muir is the premiere trainer of trainers, facilitators, and presenters on the West Coast of the United States. Since 1994, she has helped thousands of professionals improve their training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Find out how she can help transform you from a boring expert to a great presenter: www.guilamuir.com

© 2010 Guila Muir. All rights reserved.
You may make copies of this article and distribute in any media so long as you change nothing, credit the author, and include this copyright notice and web address.

Related posts:

1. The Seven Laws of Training: What Managers Must Know
2. Presentation Is Not Training
3. Simple Tools for Active Training and Facilitation