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Eyeglasses on Name Tent

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How can you be sure you call on those who enjoy reading to the class and avoid calling on those who may feel uncomfortable?

How can you be sure you call on those who enjoy reading to the class and avoid calling on those who may feel uncomfortable?

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Fri Aug 31 2018

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At some point or another, nearly every trainer must call upon a time-honored teaching technique: asking someone to read to the class. Whether it's an activity from a participant guide, a question, or a call-out, this can be a useful technique for getting learners involved and keeping them engaged. However, not everyone likes to speak in front of a group. People have a variety of legitimate reasons for not wanting to read aloud, such as dyslexia or feeling self-conscious about an accent.

At some point or another, nearly every trainer must call upon a time-honored teaching technique: asking someone to read to the class. Whether it's an activity from a participant guide, a question, or a call-out, this can be a useful technique for getting learners involved and keeping them engaged. However, not everyone likes to speak in front of a group. People have a variety of legitimate reasons for not wanting to read aloud, such as dyslexia or feeling self-conscious about an accent.

Content

So, how can you be sure you call on those who enjoy reading to the class and avoid calling on those who may feel uncomfortable?

So, how can you be sure you call on those who enjoy reading to the class and avoid calling on those who may feel uncomfortable?

Content

If you've ever delivered an in-person training session, you probably know what a name tent is. It's a piece of paper training participants write their names on and fold up as a visual sign so everyone in the class knows what to call each other.

If you've ever delivered an in-person training session, you probably know what a name tent is. It's a piece of paper training participants write their names on and fold up as a visual sign so everyone in the class knows what to call each other.

Content

Here is the technique for using the name tent to your advantage when it comes to calling on individuals who like to read aloud.

Here is the technique for using the name tent to your advantage when it comes to calling on individuals who like to read aloud.

  1. Content

    The first time you reach a point when you'd like someone to read aloud, pause and ask everyone to grab a marker or pen and their name tents.

    The first time you reach a point when you'd like someone to read aloud, pause and ask everyone to grab a marker or pen and their name tents.

  2. Content

    Explain that participants who are comfortable reading in front of the class should draw a pair of eyeglasses on their name tents, right next to their name. Emphasize that it's OK if they do not draw eyeglasses, because not everyone is a comfortable reader.

    Explain that participants who are comfortable reading in front of the class should draw a pair of eyeglasses on their name tents, right next to their name. Emphasize that it's OK if they do not draw eyeglasses, because not everyone is a comfortable reader.

  3. Content

    Ask the participants to return their name tents to their table. Now when you need to call on someone, you can look around the room and focus on asking learners who have drawn eyeglasses.

    Ask the participants to return their name tents to their table. Now when you need to call on someone, you can look around the room and focus on asking learners who have drawn eyeglasses.

Content

For some individuals, reading aloud is a great way to absorb information. If they feel confident doing it, saying something instead of listening to it helps them remember. When learners put eyeglasses on their name tents, it's often a sign that they hope to be called on to read.

For some individuals, reading aloud is a great way to absorb information. If they feel confident doing it, saying something instead of listening to it helps them remember. When learners put eyeglasses on their name tents, it's often a sign that they hope to be called on to read.

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September 2018 - TD Magazine

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