Theory & Practice

I have just been reviewing some feedback forms from a recent workshop. The comments were all very positive. What caught my eye was that one participant would have liked more theory whilst another wished that there had been more time for practicing what had been presented. The comments highlighted a major dilemma when creating workshops - focus. Over the years I have come to accept that the perfect workshop probably doesn’t exist, there are so many variables that all one can hope for is clarity of purpose; what are we (collectively) trying to achieve?

So, in the coming weeks I will review what is currently delivered with reference to the stated aims and objectives of the course. But in addition to this I will see how more real-time reflection may help trainers and their delivery. There are Lots of theories about reflective practice, my simplified approach is to differentiate between reflecting as a workshop progresses, in real time, and reflecting after the event. I accept that changing things to suit the needs of individual participants (on-the-day) is often impossible, but maybe it’s worth looking to the group for more guidance about the direction they want to take. I find good Trainers are very aware of the ‘pace’ of a session, it may be time for us all to look at content as a more fluid commodity.

As I write it occurs to me that I must avoid change for the sake of change. The workshop went very and trainer was well received. I need to make sure that any ‘tweaks’ I make actually make the experience better not worse.

James.