Train Your Brain
Aaron D. Wolowiec, President, Event Garde LLC
People usually forget 90 percent of what they learn within 30
days, according to Brain Rules, by John Medina. However, if you
understand how the brain functions, you can greatly improve
people’s retention and application of new information. Following
are seven of Medina’s original 12 rules, along with tips on how to
apply them in your presentation design and delivery.
The brain appears to be designed to solve problems.
Build and implement practice exercises that
challenge learners. Practice time should comprise between 35 and 50 percent of education
sessions. This practice time can include practice
activities, facilitator feedback, and both pre- and
post-assessments.
Move to improve thinking skills.
Develop opportunities throughout the program to get
participants out of their seats and moving throughout
the room. Consider flipcharts, manipulatives, networking, and role-playing as excuses to get people
on their feet.
The biological drive for an afternoon nap
is universal.
The afternoon energy slump is real. It occurs
between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. Avoid heavy
topics during this time, and design curricula full of
engagement and interaction when asked to speak
during this so-called nap zone.
We don’t pay attention to boring things.
Audiences tend to check out after only 10 minutes of
content. To regain their attention, tell personal narratives based on your experiences or create events rich
in emotion.
10
Repeat to remember.
Leverage learning materials like slide decks and
participant handouts to repeat new information in
timed intervals throughout the presentation. Periodic
breaks also allow participants the opportunity for
reflection.
Stimulate more of the senses at the same time.
Audiences learn best if we stimulate several senses
at once. Gather the resources necessary to integrate
the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and
touch into instructional experiences when delivering
particularly complex concepts.
Vision trumps all other senses.
Don’t underestimate the power of visual tools such
as PowerPoint, Prezi, videos, handouts, and job aids.
It’s said that if participants hear a piece of information, three days later they’re likely to remember 10
percent of it. Add a picture, and they’re likely to
remember 65 percent.
Implementing a handful of these simple techniques
can enhance any speaker’s presentation. For more
on John Medina’s Brain Rules, visit brainrules.net.
Aaron D. Wolowiec, MSA, CAE, CMP, CTA, is
Learning Strategist at Event Garde (eventgarde.com),
a professional development consulting firm that
employs a versatile skill set and a wealth of experience to create well-connected leaders.
AORE Outdoor Insider | Winter 2015-2016