How Effective Are Icebreakers, Energisers as Training Techniques
HR TALK WITH PAUL NYAUSARU
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE ICEBREAKERS AND ENERGIZERS AS TRAINING TECHNIQUES.
The quality of your training programme depends largely on the ingredients that make up the whole programme. As we have realised in the previous article, there are a number of variables that contribute to an effective training programme which include taking into account the views of specialists in the area, representatives of the target group for which training is being developed as well as future participants of the training and training experts (Training Officer/Administrator). This week we would like to take a look at one ingredient that stimulate participants to be in the mood of actively participating during the training, the use of icebreakers and energizer.
Icebreakers are techniques that are used during training programmes, normally at the beginning, with aim of promoting interaction among participants and trainers. Usually when participants come together from different backgrounds, there is a tendency to be shy and lack of confidence, so icebreakers play a role in assisting participants settle down in the shortest possible time. If successfully applied, icebreakers can make participants more enthusiastic and willing to take part in the training activities. Icebreakers have the power to provide amusement, relive boredom, reduce tension and stimulate creative thinking. The trainer then has to be careful to choose those icebreakers that ensure physical movement and/or mental exercise.
On the other hand, energizers are techniques that ensure physical and mental stimulation to participants before resuming a training session or after a long session. The aim here is to refresh participants so that they can take part in the next session. This use of energizers is therefore ideal in reducing boredom and monotony that go with long training sessions. Through the use of energizers, a trainer can succeed in developing a sense of team spirit among the participants
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE ICEBREAKERS AND ENERGIZERS AS TRAINING TECHNIQUES.
The quality of your training programme depends largely on the ingredients that make up the whole programme. As we have realised in the previous article, there are a number of variables that contribute to an effective training programme which include taking into account the views of specialists in the area, representatives of the target group for which training is being developed as well as future participants of the training and training experts (Training Officer/Administrator). This week we would like to take a look at one ingredient that stimulate participants to be in the mood of actively participating during the training, the use of icebreakers and energizer.
Icebreakers are techniques that are used during training programmes, normally at the beginning, with aim of promoting interaction among participants and trainers. Usually when participants come together from different backgrounds, there is a tendency to be shy and lack of confidence, so icebreakers play a role in assisting participants settle down in the shortest possible time. If successfully applied, icebreakers can make participants more enthusiastic and willing to take part in the training activities. Icebreakers have the power to provide amusement, relive boredom, reduce tension and stimulate creative thinking. The trainer then has to be careful to choose those icebreakers that ensure physical movement and/or mental exercise.
On the other hand, energizers are techniques that ensure physical and mental stimulation to participants before resuming a training session or after a long session. The aim here is to refresh participants so that they can take part in the next session. This use of energizers is therefore ideal in reducing boredom and monotony that go with long training sessions. Through the use of energizers, a trainer can succeed in developing a sense of team spirit among the participants