NTC » In-Person Classes http://nnlm.gov/ntc National Library of Medicine Training Center Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:41:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Ideas for Training the “Gaming Generation” http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/06/11/ideas-for-training-the-gaming-generation/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/06/11/ideas-for-training-the-gaming-generation/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:14:31 +0000 Sharon Dennis http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=2837 How can we adapt training for the “gaming generation”?  Becky Pike discusses a few ideas for incorporating games into training, whether in-person or online, high tech or low tech.  Ideas include a matching game, simulations, quizzes with “points” awarded, or having students blog questions and answers.  If the games are tied directly to the content being presented, even those not part of the “gaming generation” may find game activities fun and rewarding.

]]> http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/06/11/ideas-for-training-the-gaming-generation/feed/ 0 Fun Opening Activity: “A-Z” Word Game http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/03/08/fun-opening-activity-a-z-word-game/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/03/08/fun-opening-activity-a-z-word-game/#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:14:31 +0000 Sharon Dennis http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=2445

Ideally, an opening class activity should allow class participants to get acquainted with one another and to remove pre-class distractions. It’s always challenging to design an opener that is related to the content of the class.

The “A-Z” word game is one possibility for a group activity: divide the class into groups of 3-4. Using large post-it notes on the wall, ask each group to come up with a word for each letter of alphabet that relates to the class content. Give each group 3-5 minutes and instruct them to work as fast as possible.

Can you think of words related to PubMed for each letter of the alphabet (not including PubMed, MEDLINE, or specific search terms)? “Z” can be difficult, but a recent group in one of our classes came up with an answer (see the photo).

a-zpic_enhanced

]]> http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/03/08/fun-opening-activity-a-z-word-game/feed/ 0 I’ve Got a Question…20 of them http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/02/19/ive-got-a-question-20-of-them/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/02/19/ive-got-a-question-20-of-them/#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:34:43 +0000 Rebecca Brown http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=2391 The University of Minnesota’s Center for Teaching and Learning has created a page dedicated to using games in the classroom. Below is one example that can be used in-person or online as an ice breaker or a review.

http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorials/powerpoint/games/index.html#twenty

]]> http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2013/02/19/ive-got-a-question-20-of-them/feed/ 0 FlashClass http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/14/flashclass/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/14/flashclass/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:59:16 +0000 Rebecca Brown http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=1971 The University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library System is trying a new approach to offering library instruction classes called FlashClass. FlashClass is based on the growing daily deal phenomenon of Groupon, Deal of the Day, CrowdSaving, Living Social, etc.

Read about it at: http://info.hsls.pitt.edu/updatereport/?p=5977

]]> http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/14/flashclass/feed/ 0 Boredom Busters http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/07/boredom-busters/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/07/boredom-busters/#comments Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:50:01 +0000 Rebecca Brown http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=1939 The title of the article I’ve linked to here is 5 Great eLearning Boredom Busters, however, I think the suggestions work for in-person presentations as well. I’ve listed the 5 suggestions below. Follow the link to read more and about each item and solutions.

http://info.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/248676/5-great-elearning-boredom-busters

  • Avoid content-centered design
  • When talking about content…make it “sticky”
  • Show, don’t tell!
  • Spell out the famous WIFM (What’s in it for me)
  • Avoid “busy work” interactivity
    • ]]>     http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/12/07/boredom-busters/feed/ 0     Training “Killers” and How to Avoid Them http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/06/29/training-killers-and-how-to-avoid-them/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/06/29/training-killers-and-how-to-avoid-them/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:03:01 +0000 Sharon Dennis http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=1185 You’ve carefully prepared for and rehearsed your content for a class and you’re ready to go… but what are some training errors that can “kill” the training regardless of how much you’ve prepared?  In a recent blog post Bob Pike lists four training killers:  1) slow start; 2) a late ending; 3) asking “are there any questions?” and 4) using illegible graphics (the infamous, “you probably can’t see this, but…”).

    Read more about those training killers and ways to avoid them:  “Some Training Room Errors are Excusable…“, by Bob Pike, published on May 4, 2012.

    ]]>     http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/06/29/training-killers-and-how-to-avoid-them/feed/ 0     Sit Back and Let your App do the Work http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/05/24/sit-back-and-let-your-app-do-the-work/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/05/24/sit-back-and-let-your-app-do-the-work/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 14:15:56 +0000 Rebecca Brown http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=987 SaveMeeting is an app that records meetings on iPhone and Android devices. The app allows you to record the audio of your meetings, transcribe the audio, and share the recordings and transcriptions with others. Free (1000 minutes of audio) and paid versions are available. Works with a PC as well. Coming soon: SaveMeeting for iPad and Blackberry.

    ]]>     http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/05/24/sit-back-and-let-your-app-do-the-work/feed/ 0     Join Us in Chicago on April 4 for TOXNET® and Beyond In-Person Class! http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/03/02/join-us-in-chicago-on-april-4-for-toxnet-and-beyond-in-person-class/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/03/02/join-us-in-chicago-on-april-4-for-toxnet-and-beyond-in-person-class/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:13:43 +0000 Sharon Dennis http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=781 There is still time to register for the TOXNET® and Beyond in-person class to be held in Chicago, IL on April 4, 2012.  This is a free class and comes with 6 MLA CE credits.

    This course is designed to convey the basics of searching the NLM’s TOXNET, a Web-based system of databases in the areas of toxicology, environmental health, and related fields. The course will also teach students how to utilize NLM’s environmental health and toxicology portal which provides resources beyond the TOXNET databases. Participants will learn the content and structure of files covering toxicology data, toxicology literature, toxic releases, and chemical nomenclature. Among the databases highlighted will be TOXLINE, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), and ChemIDplus. The course will be conducted in a computer lab and includes lectures, online demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.

    Register today!

    ]]>     http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2012/03/02/join-us-in-chicago-on-april-4-for-toxnet-and-beyond-in-person-class/feed/ 0     Spring Classes Open for Registration http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2011/11/03/spring-classes-open-for-registration/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2011/11/03/spring-classes-open-for-registration/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:39:02 +0000 Sharon Dennis http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=207 Registration is now open for NTC spring classes! The NTC will be teaching PubMed® for Trainers in Houston, TX; Chapel Hill, NC; and Chicago, IL. TOXNET® and Beyond will be taught in Houston and Chicago. See the NTC class schedule and register now!

    ]]>     http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2011/11/03/spring-classes-open-for-registration/feed/ 0     Learner Engagement Soars! Read All About It! http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2011/10/12/learner-engagement-soars-read-all-about-it/ http://nnlm.gov/ntc/2011/10/12/learner-engagement-soars-read-all-about-it/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:36:01 +0000 Rebecca Brown http://nnlm.gov/ntc/?p=143 I can hear myself say it…Any questions?

    From Elliott Masie’s Learning Trends blog: 9 seconds – The number of seconds between the time an instructor asks a question and the next sound that they make! Unfortunately, most teachers ask, “Any questions?” and, in less than 3 seconds, start to speak again.” It takes a learner many seconds to recognize that you have stopped teaching and asked for a question, review what you said, evaluate what they would like to ask, formulate the question, raise their hand and then ask it! Not possible in 3 seconds!! Masie suggests to extend your wait time to at least 9 seconds in order to give learners a chance to formulate a question and respond.

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