Resources

Session 1:  Moving Toward a System of Learning

Activity 1:  A Fulfilling Learning Experience

The purpose of this activity is to reflect on past learning experiences, and to identify the context or facts that produce a fulfilling and successful learning experience. In addition, participants have an opportunity to reflect on the characteristics of their kitchens.

  • A Fulfilling Learning Experience (pdf/doc)

Activity 2: Training in Our Kitchens Today

The purpose of this activity is to reflect on participants’ past experiences as trainers, and to identify how training has been provided so far in their kitchens. .

  • Training in My Kitchen (pdf/doc)

Activity 3:  Professional Development, TOTs Approach to Training

The purpose of this activity is to present TOTs approach to training, and to review its characteristics. 

  • Moving Toward a System of Learning (pdf/ppt)
  • Concept Map (pdf/doc)
  • I love it vs. I am not interested (pdf/doc)

Session 2:  Training Design:  Where to Begin

Activity 1:  Introducing Components of the Training Plan

The purpose of this activity is to introduce the different components of a training plan.  A training plan is an organized description of the activities and resources, tools and strategies a trainer will use to facilitate a training.  As it has different components, participants will explore each thinking about it as a piece of a larger jigsaw puzzle.

  • Training Plan Jigsaw (pdf/doc)
  • Cycle of Training (pdf/doc)
  • Sample Training Calendar for your Kitchen (pdf/doc)

Activity 2: Practicing the Training Plan  

The purpose of this activity is to provide the opportunity to apply the Training Plan to a new topic.

  • Planning a Training (pdf/doc)

Activity 3:  Why a Needs Assessment

The purpose of this activity is to explore the first step in making a decision about training.  A needs assessment helps guide the training that will be conducted and help identify the skills and strengths of a kitchen. 

  • Why a Needs Assessment? (pdf/doc)
  • Formal Needs Assessment Example (pdf/doc)
  • Skills Inventory Example (pdf/doc)
  • Conducting a Needs Assessment and Skills Inventory (pdf/doc)

Session 3:  A Smart Beginning

Activity 1:  Training Tools:  Concept Map

The purpose of this activity is to introduce the use of a concept map as a tool for helping to take a large training topic and breaking it up into smaller manageable training topics

Activity 2:  Writing Your Objectives

The purpose of this activity is to apply what is completed in the Concept Map activity by taking it one step further, and writing training objectives.

  • Writing SMART Objectives (pdf/doc)
  • Suggested Verbs for Writing SMART Objectives (pdf/doc)
  • Writing Your Objectives (pdf/doc)
  • Discussing Topics, Objectives and Logistics (pdf/doc)

Session 4:  Training Adult Learners

Activity 1:  What are Learning Styles?

The purpose of this activity is to explore different learning styles and match these learning styles with the needs of kitchen staff.

  • Personal Learning Styles Inventory (pdf/doc)
  • Learning Styles Part 1 (pdf/doc)
  • Learning Styles Part 2 (pdf/doc)
  • Matching Learning Styles with Training Activities (pdf/doc)

Activity 2:  Who Are the Learners?

The purpose of this activity is to consider how to support the unique characteristics of the kitchen environment.

Activity 3:  Reviewing Training Activities and Tools

The purpose of this activity is to review the Training Activities and Tools Handout so that participants understand it as a resource.

  • Training and Activities Tool (pdf/doc)
  • Putting Together the Pieces: Drafting Training Activities (pdf/doc)

Session 5:  Designing a Training

Activity 1: Training Using Power Point

The purpose of this activity is to provide an opportunity to think about how and when to use technology in their trainings.

  • PowerPoint Best Practices (pdf/doc)
  • Technology Tips (pdf/doc)
  • Planning Your Training Using Technology (pdf/doc)

Activity 2:  Evaluating Your Training and Reinforcing Learning

The purpose of this activity is to evaluate a training program so that the lessons that are learned are applied in future trainings.

  • Evaluation Tips (pdf/doc)
  • Tips for Reinforcing Learning (pdf/doc)

Activity 3: Including Evaluation and Reinforcing Learning in Your Training Plan

The goal of this activity is to build upon what was worked on in Topic 4 as planning an activity is an art and requires practice and feedback

  • Including Evaluation and Reinforcement into your Training Plan (pdf/doc)

Session 6:  Motivating Learners

Activity 1: What are my teaching values?

The purpose of this activity is to think about what makes a good teacher based on personal experiences. 

  • My Training Approach (pdf/doc)

Activity 2:  Adult Learning Principles

In this activity participants will reflect on the relevance of the adult learning principles in the work environment.

  • How Adults Learn (pdf/doc)
  • Adult Learning Principles (pdf/doc)

Activity 3:  Learners’ Resistance and Motivation to Training

The purpose of this activity is to think about resistance that happens in relation to training.  This includes resistance that happens in training but also resistance that happens as a result of poor preparation, planning, and/or practice. 

  • Managing Difficult Issues in a Training (pdf/doc)

Session 7:  Shaping a System of Learning

Activity 1:  Planning Your Training Plan!

The purpose of this activity is to provide dedicated time to support the development of a training plan.

  • Use any materials from the previous sessions to help plan your training.

Activity 2:  Informal Assessment and Reflective Skills Evaluation

The purpose of this activity is to give participants the opportunity to evaluate their own skills.

  • Cristine’s Tips for Trainers (pdf/doc)
  • Guideline to Giving and Receiving Feedback (pdf/doc)