What would you do?

Grumpy_2

I have been asked to present 4 hours of hydronic related teaching to a captive audience of 125-150 tradesmen over a two night period. This is as a result of my complaining that there was insufficient information being disseminated about hydronics, and too many folks that are trying to do radiant without proper training or information. Now that I have been (drafted) asked to do this, I am wondering how to proceed without becoming too technical or boring. I want to reach these fellows and hopefully start them on the right course of action regarding radiant heating. I am open to all suggestions and input. I plan on using Power Point and a whole lot of handout sheets. A quiz will be held at the end of each night, not to embarass anyone, but to give them a small accounting of their time and how it was spent. Has anyone else done something like this, that would be willing to share ideas?

David_5

Group size

You may want to start with a smaller group. 150 people at one time seems like the big time to me.

David

Grumpy_2

I agree, but no choice there on my part.

Jack_21

Just a thought

but Dan has written a book on "how to teach tradesmen". I do a lot of technical training and the book has very good info and insights. Have a ball!

Dale

Large group

Since you're stuck with a large group, a large topic, and not alot of time I have a few suggestions from my experience doing this. First, use the slide function of powerpoint to make handouts of each of your frames. This way it's easy for everyone to follow and take notes. If this is unafordable put your presentation on a disc for whatever price you need to make a copy. Next, pick the main need to know stuff and show pictures of as manyh real job sites as possible illustrating the point. Third, make WRWTP (what's wrong with this picture) slides for as many sections as possible showing common mistakes, kind of like Dan asking for near boiler piping pictures to illustrate what not to do. Last, with every section give a website address or source of info on the specific topic. Last, be ready to change the second offering after doing the first one. If you can get a friend to take notes you can set up an overhead projector to show answers for the first questions asked so you don't need to try to change the powerpoint. In HTTTWPTTS Dan makes a good case why overheads are the safer way to go. I would have a backup laptop and projector ready for this many people. Main thing, have fun, sharing information is extremely rewarding.

Unknown

CD Presentation

Grumpy,

I have a 300 slide PPT on hydronics and RFH if you want a copy of the DVD.

I would not had out the slides at the beginning of the presentation, it gives everyone something to read instead of listening to you. Heck, with some instructors I've been able to read their entire presentration in an hour, why sit through two days of crap?

If you must have handouts then make them just the headers so your students have to fill them in.

Did you know that now the RPA has an instructors course?

wheels

Robert O'Connor_7

Why not....

Give the test first, so that way you can find out where the strengths and weaknesses are so your not covering info they might already know (or at least a majority of them). The class may be too big for even a mildly seasoned teacher so be ready. You might want to outline & track your time so that info you need to convey gets covered. Give a test at the end so YOU can track YOU're performance too and know who picked up & on what... Good luck!..Robert O'Connor/NJ

DanHolohan

When I'm preparing,

I budget eight hours for each hour I'm going to be up in front. So it would take me 32 hours to put together a four-hour course for the first time. That includes thinking it through, researching and selecting the appropriate material, slide preparation, and timing. Put in the hours and your presentation will seem effortless.

Love and respect your audience.

Jed_2

That's a great idea

but, with 125-200 attendees, it might take him the entire 1st night to evaluate where to begin... on the 2nd night?????

Jed

Larry Weingarten

I'll second the idea...

of getting Dan's book, "How To Teach Technicians". It's filled with stuff you can use right now and I've found it to be a very big help. Once you have it in hand, read it cover to cover, three times. Really!

Weezbo

Have a plan...:) you can always change a plan:)

heres a thought or two...
one might be to start with a question and answer interactive idea allow some thoughts to evolve right into the plan.
You, take notes... ask about maybe some of the contractors using pex products and ask how they feel it has detracted from thier business on the profit and loss sheet.
then after a while when you have clearly gotten enough good answers exeplify them and possibly choose some of your points that aid everyone to see the value of following some of the ideas that had been brought up earlier,... call that an introduction and take a break strech your legs as it were and walk about listening to what ever seems to be interesting to people. take some mental notes.
... so when everyone milled about a bit had a chance to see some of thier buddies who stopped by just to check it out and the like ,and are feeling way more comfortable, you can go creative a bit and say that you had heard someone say blah blah blah and wondered if perhaps you might just take a little bit of time to present an answer or two before starting your presentation....
especially if what you chose to hear was already one of the topics:)) ...I think once everyone is involved you are really making a presentation they will remember..... involvement is one of the key points of your presentation...Right?
the next break what you have presented will be the topic rolling thru the conversations during your saying hello to other contractors..now you can open with you happened to hear such and such and you would like to answer the question at that time once again getting on with the presentation with involvement...maybe you could ask for some time to disscuss this topic a little more in depth at this time and let everyone get a grasp of the focus you have on the subject...then continue on.....before bailing that evening i'd ask if the next class they would like to start with a few questions in the way of a general disscussion on the materials covered, run a brief outline on what you have presented ,see if there is any interest ,and call it a night.:)

John R. Hall

Make it fun

Picture 150 people in their underwear and go from there.

Wayco Wayne_2

Have some good storys

Don't make it too dry. Think of some storys of things that have happened to you, or someone you know, or even something here off of the Wall. If something is humorous even better. Things like late night calls, difficult or excentric customers, weird situations, mistakes employees have made and lessons learned, color the lessons to make it real to the listening audience. Good luck and have fun with it. WW

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Weezbo

I agree with wayne.

When its all slice and dice everybody is bored stiff,or to say it another way giving some credence to being considerate of the next guy tends to make what you are saying be something people Want to Hear. college students can sit through hours of lectures .karate students can practise ,excersizing body and mind for days...because thats their way of life and thats what they do.Jo guy like us may be getting off work to finsh the house then making a run past the shop right after the class and laying out a boiler and sending the guys off to plumb in the DWV Potable Nd Radiant rough in on a new home before showing up...he already is going through enough just to be there. so some perspective change is in order and laughter breaks the ice sorta speak. ONE THING nab some of the wholesale house owners Managers from around the area...invite them to introduce say Extrol tanks or there brand of dounoughts...most of the audience Already Knows these Guys and seeing a familiar face also helps people relax and take a more active interest in what you are presenting.

Ken D.

Teaching

Any chance you can go fishing instead? No, I guess not. Listen to Dan and get his book.

Grumpy_2

Thanks for your input

I will be using several of your ideas as I put my presentations together. This is a tremendous opportunity and a daunting challenge at the same time. I do appreciate everyone's input! Thank You.

Jim Eastman

300 slide PPT presentation

Wheels,

I would love to have a copy of the presentation you put together! Did you do this for a class presentation similar to what Grumpy is doing? What is the emphasis? Service, design, system knowledge?

I will send you a blank disc if you wish for the copy. Sounds great!

Jim Eastman
jheastman@msn.com
Precision Plumbing
Boulder, CO

Dale

Good luck

And, we all can learn from each other. After you do this please let us know the details of how it went and what you enjoyed most.

Unknown

PPT

Jim,

I use to do training all around the country for a PEX manufacture. Prior to that I use to do local seminars. I have packages from 1 hour to 3 days (3rd being computer heat loss program)

e-mail me your address and I will send you a copy. I'll let you minipulate the manufacture standard slide back ground out of it :-)

wheels

Ken_8

I don't agree.

Siggy held 300 folks attention at ISH Toronto a year or so ago for two sessions without problems - and his stuff was cutting edge techno-based.

The secret? He knew the size of the crowd and geared his talk to reduce two-way (which would have been incredibly distracting) dialogue to essentially one-way only.

You must conjur up their likely questions that you will be unable to field, and address them along the way, or you'll get bogged down and lose them. The adjustment of style is formidable, but if you speak anything like you write, you'll do nicely I'm sure.

Start a few lines off with, "Now I know you're all thinking, why must we do that"? It'll work.

What choice do you have afterall?

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Jim Eastman

Wheels e-mail address?

What is your e-mail address. I will send you my mailing address. My e-mail address is

jheastman@msn.com

Thanks for your response!

Jim Eastman

Weezbo

oki so how did this deal work out?

wasthe class a thing to remember?