Month: March 2012

Teaching Senior Citizens

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I recently met with some business owners that are interested in developing training for senior citizens in retirement communities.  They wanted insight on how “best” to teach senior citizens computer skills.  I have taught lots of older folks computer skills while developing and delivering technology training for the Multnomah County Library system.   A few things I learned were to create large-type handouts.  It is important that your older learners can see and read the handouts.  Additionally, increase the font size on the computer screen if possible.  And make sure you have handouts the are detailed and descriptive so that your learners can practice their new skills when they get back to their rooms.

At the beginning of each session, I explain that they “cannot break the computer”.  I think one of the most important things you can do, as the facilitator to ensure success in your classroom, is to dispel the fear that people have with computers.  Patience, on your part, is a critical skill to have, also.  You might have to repeat yourself several times and remember to speak slowly.  I found an online article with a few more tips.  Read it here.

What other tips and tricks can you share about teaching seniors?  What other accommodations have you made to ensure success in your classroom for your older learners?

The Written Word and Conciseness

Posted on by Seniye Groff

In this world of high drama and quick turnarounds, we are asked to write a lot of documents with all sorts of information.  I, too, write on a daily basis and have taught technical writing in a college classroom setting.  One of the biggest challenges for writers seems to be conciseness.  We want to fill the page with every word we know.   So here is a little quiz.  Email me if you want the answers!

Change the phrases below to make them more concise.

  1. at this point and time
  2. a substantial segment of the population
  3. basic essentials
  4. arrived at the conclusion
  5.  the situation as it stands now
  6. in close proximity
  7. past history

Quick Poll About Newsletter vs. Blogs

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Do you prefer receiving an email newsletter in your mailbox or to subscribe to a blog and get updates? I am trying to decide if I should get rid of the newsletter and a colleague I greatly respect says, “Don’t get rid of the newsletter”!  So far, I have seen little return for the gigantic effort the newsletter involves.  On the other hand, the newsletter keeps me in front of people and demonstrates my expertise (I hope!).  So I am asking you for your insight.  Post a comment with your answer:

Newsletter Only

Blog Only

Keep Both

Tofu Curry

Posted on by Seniye Groff

In the February 2012  issue of “Sunset Magazine” there is a recipe for fresh herb and tofu curry.  I have never made curry, and the picture looked so appetizing, so I thought I would give it a shot.  Although there are a lot of steps, this recipe is worth it.  My four- year- old entered the kitchen as I was cooking it and said, “Oh my god, that smells good!  Yum, yum,  yum.”  If that is not an endorsement, then I don’t know what it.    It did end up being delicious!  I took a photo of my end result…

Begin with the Business in Mind

Posted on by Seniye Groff

It is no secret that the “training department” is often viewed as an expense rather than a revenue-generating partner.  So how can the training group change the perception and be viewed as a partner in running the business?  “Begin With the Business in Mind” by Matt Donovan shares some ideas.

Donovan suggests that the training organization “should be able to effectively describe the organization’s competitive position in terms of:

  • Industry and key features
  • Range of products and services provided
  • Customers and their affinity for the company’s products and services
  • External partners in the value chain
  • Competitive strategy
  • Competitive advantage
  • Current and emerging competitors.”

Once the training organization understands the company’s competitive advantage, it should then understand how the company structures itself to execute its strategy.  The PARC model in the book “Strategic Management” is mentioned as an ideal framework.  The PARC model is comprised of People, Architecture, Routines and Culture.  Only after the learning team has mastered their understanding of the company’s competitive position and its competitive advantage can they move forward to  being a true business partner rather than just an order-taker.  Trainers will be much better at assessing the business challenge, the cost of the training solution and ultimately the cost of the problem.  When trainers begin to use the language of “business problem” and “cost of the problem” rather than just cost of trainee per hour or smile sheet evaluation results, they demonstrate their position as a true business person.  Now that will be music to any leader’s ears!

The Real Education Gap

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Chief Learning Officer’s January 2012 issue contained a relevant article on “The Real Education Gap”.  The article describes the lack of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking skills present in today’s workforce.  The article suggests that “82% of American schools fail to teach curricula that imbue students with the skills leadership demands.”  One could argue that school should (and are) teaching students reading, writing and math.  The challenge lies in the need for other skills to excel in today’s modern workplace and global arena.

The 2010 American Management Association (AMA) Critical Skills Survey uncovered the need for the “Four C’s”:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Effective communication
  • Collaboration and team building
  • Creativity and innovation. 

The most important of the “4C’s” is communication, which includes thinking clearly, figuring out what information is most important and then communicating back clearly.  Given my experience in training and education, I believe it would be fairly simple to practice these skills, even with existing content.  Revising content so that is culminates in real-life, practical application would be an easy fix for organizations. 

Ultimately, if practitioners ask the question “How does this training change behavior?” it is more likely the content will have some practice and skill development built into the design.  The article concludes with “organizations that develop their people have more success across all performance metrics.”  I think this is an obvious insight because as the old adage goes:  Don’t worry about training people that then might leave, instead worry about not training employees and having them stay! 

Family Glue

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Last night I met my friend Victoria to celebrate her new job.  We commiserated about the elusive work/life balance, motherhood, bosses, sacrifices and other trivial gossip.  We munched on appetizers and dinner, drank flowing wine and took a few bites of two disappointing desserts that descriptions sounded better than they actually tasted.  At nine p.m. I noted a call from home but chose to ignore it as I enjoyed my few hours of freedom. 

I arrived home at 10 p.m. weary from so much talking and laughing.  It was a good weary…a satisfied weary.  I immediately heard my ten-year old stomp down the stairs in record time.  She launched herself to my chest with a thud as tears streamed down her cheeks. 

I asked, “What’s wrong?”  

She tearfully replied, “You were gone so long!”

It is great to feel missed and needed but I had left at six p.m. with the meal prepared, homework completed and piano practiced.  Four hours away.  I rarely , and I mean rarely, go out by myself.  Yet, for my daughter the hours seemed indefinite.  And no matter how overdue I felt my reprieve was, it quickly came to an end with three little words, “I missed you”.  Ah, the joy and duty of motherhood.