Orbit Activity 7

Many people in today’s world, particularly in the workplace, are asked to run small workshops or show people how to do something. Particularly in areas like software, new processes or new procedures. This activity gives an opportunity to prepare and run a workshop.

Activity 7 – Run a Workshop

Duration: 10-15 mins
Pre-requisites: Completion of Launchpad Program

Aim

To run a workshop which teaches a particular skill or understanding related to public speaking or meetings.

Objectives

  1. To clearly identify the skill that’s being imparted

  2. To present in a logical structured manner

  3. To prepare the participants to achieve the outcome or objectives

The Why…

Many people in today’s world, particularly in the workplace, are asked to run small workshops or show people how to do something. Particularly in areas like software, new processes or new procedures. This activity gives an opportunity to prepare and run a workshop.

The How

Specific guidelines on how to tackle this activity.

Firstly, decide on the workshop topic.

Secondly, decide on one or two major aspects of the area or skill you’re going to teach.

Understand that you are, in fact, teaching. You will need to have a very clear understanding of what it is you’re going to do, and how you’re going to do it.

Once you’ve decided on your topic, then break it down into steps and work out the sequence.

Ask yourself:

  • What do people need to know in order to be able to do this skill?
  • What steps do they have to take, and in what order?

Having a set of clear, demonstrated steps is very important. With each step, work out how you’ll illustrate that step. Try not to make it just you talking. Make sure you demonstrate all the steps. This works much better than just explaining.

Confucius said “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” If people ‘hear’, they learn a certain amount. If they ‘see’, they learn a little more. If they ‘do’, they learn an enormous amount. Best results are achieved if they ‘see’, ‘hear’ and ‘do’.

Consider the structure of each step to include the ‘theory’ (what do they need to know about each step to do it properly. The ‘demonstration’ (show them how you do it). And then ‘action’ (give them an opportunity to try it for themselves, if it’s possible to do that in the meeting).

Tips and traps

Trap: Don’t put too much material in as it will confuse people.

Tip: Keep the activity simple and the steps succinct. Include plenty of explanations as to why things are done and in what order.

Trap: Getting the sequence wrong.

Tip: Before your workshop, practice the sequenced steps or try it out with a family member or someone who has never done that skill before. This will ensure you have the steps in sequence and in enough detail.

Trap: Making assumptions about what people already know.

Tip: Try it out beforehand so you can ensure you’re not glossing over parts that ‘lay’ people don’t necessarily have the background knowledge to understand.

Tip: Choose things that are relatively easy, not really complex activities.

Tip: Plan how you’ll set up the room in your Rostrum club to deliver the workshop. Get there early and set up all your equipment and props so they’re readily to hand when you start your presentation.

Tip: Plan whether it’s going to be interactive, or whether it’s just going to be you presenting.

Tip: Plan whether you’re going to use visuals, or whether you’re going to use real things to show people what to do.

Guidelines for Program Director:

This is a really interesting and useful activity to do, and needs to be given to experienced members first to show newer members how to run a workshop. It’s a perfect activity to give to members who may be trainee coaches to give them an aspect to coaching. However, don’t fall into the trap of making all of the activities Rostrum based.

Running a workshop could be something on an aspect of how to maintain a healthy environment in relation to COVID-19 or similar.

Think through possible ideas and don’t be afraid to give some ideas to members in terms of running a workshop. What you may do as Program Director, is actually give a member a particular topic to run a workshop on.

For newer members, it’s always wise to suggest they run their idea past you or an experienced member first. Some may choose topics that will only take 2 or 3 minutes (when they think it’ll take longer). Or the reverse could happen. They put in way too much material and it goes way over time.