Learning should be treated as an event. So what can instructors or learning practitioners learn from event planners? What are some of the things event planners think about when designing or planning the perfect party? What are the behaviors party planners try to encourage? What makes an event or party memorable?
First, parties are designed to be social. And while we don’t want classroom experiences to be raucous and obnoxious, a bit of learner-driven small talk is not a bad thing. Probably the simplest way to encourage interaction is through the seating arrangement. At a recent ATD event, I was happy to see the classroom set up with round tables. These round tables encouraged us as participants to talk with one another. We asked one another questions and helped one another out: an instant team of learners.
Second, what party isn’t a hit without some memorable games? In a learning situation, how about offering practice scenarios, such as completing a small, in-class project? Learners gain a sense of accomplishment as they build these in-class projects and instantly apply what the instructor teaches.
Third, every event has decorations or a theme to bring everyone together. In a face-to-face classroom, contextual posters, informational presentations, and other items are great ways to decorate and get learners in the right mindset. This mindset can even be started with the “invitations,” such as the pre-work or other materials you send to learners before the main event.
Event planning takes work and is all about the details, and training events are no different. But if you encourage conversation, have tactile games or practice opportunities, and decorate with a theme of learning the subject matter, you’ll be well on your way to creating a memorable event.
