𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒙

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 – 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

This largely decided the pattern of interaction among trainees & the way they approach learning. In Training, the approach is different than that of schools. Let’s look at each pattern & its impact.

~ ‘𝐔’ 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 – With a good participant visibility, the facilitator also gets a chance to walk through & connect closely. Participants can see each other, automatically giving better room for cross-learning.
Arrangement of AV aids is important here as participants sitting in front may find it difficult to constantly turn into 45 to 60 degrees to look at the screen, which could be painful.

~ ‘𝐕’ 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 – This is the best arrangement for visibility not causing neck-ache ensuring optimum trainer-trainee contact. It is also less formal & intimidating than the ‘U’.
However, this requires larger space and hence can be done only with less number of participants.

~ 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 / 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢-𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 – This is an ideal arrangement for sensitive training sessions, encouraging maximum participant involvement and minimizing side conversations.
Such furniture in round shape is difficult to find. So, this arrangement largely works when the participants are made to sit on the floor directly. One big disadvantage of this arrangement is when participants when not acquainted with each other may find this arrangement too exposing and this may create discomfort.

One must understand the psychology that gets impacted by different seating patterns. This is largely connected with the purpose and design of the training. The arrangement gets decided by what does the trainer want to achieve and how is the participation expected. By choosing appropriate seating pattern the trainer has to ensure,

~ It is non-threatening and participants are not pushed beyond their limits by imposing certain pattern on them
~ If it is a need of the training to make the participants feel that discomfort, communicate in advance while setting ground rules and also be open to their critical feedback
~ Space constraint should not over-rule the training purpose
~ The control over training methods, processes and learning should not be lost due to the seating arrangement
~ The seating pattern is weaved with other training methods so that participants should not waste time in making frequent changes in the seating arrangement to accommodate any other training method.
~ It should be in complete sync with all the AV aids. Ergonomically well-thought seating arrangement impacts learning positively.

We’ll look at some more seating arrangements in the next post. Till then do share your views and experiences with this & remember to follow #TrainingMechanix & #VindaTheCatalyst for anything & everything related to Training.

Do share in comments your views about planning at such a minute level – has it anything to do with learning?