10 Most Effective Instructor-Led Training Activities

In today's competitive business environment, providing employees with the training they need to succeed is more important than ever. But is there a different way to learn that's engaging and fun? Enter instructor-led training activities, a popular and effective way to deliver training to individuals or groups! 

Instructor-led training (ILT) is a traditional and effective way to deliver training that can help your employees develop the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs at a high level.

It is a popular training method because it allows immediate feedback and interaction between the instructor and learners. While ILT is already a part of organizational efforts to enhance employee performances, this blog aims to highlight how to make these more engaging and, thus, result-oriented. 

Let’s get started!

What is Instructor-led Training?

Before moving forward with the instructor-led training activities, let us first dive into the basics. 

What is ILT, or instructor-led training?

Instructor-led training (ILT) is a type of training in which a knowledgeable instructor facilitates a training session for a group of learners. ILT can be conducted in person or online, but the most important aspect is that the learners have real-time access to the instructor for feedback and discussion. ILT can be delivered in various formats, such as lectures, interactive workshops, or virtual sessions using video conferencing tools.

ILT is particularly well-suited for companies that need to provide training on complex topics, require hands-on learning, value face-to-face interaction, and have the resources to allow learners to participate in intensive full-day or multi-day training sessions.

Instructor-led Training: Things to Consider

Organizations must continuously equip their employees with new skills and knowledge to remain competitive in today's dynamic world. Instructor-led training (ILT) remains a crucial method for achieving this goal. However, ensuring your ILT programs are engaging and effective requires careful planning and thoughtful execution.

By focusing on key elements like understanding your audience, diversifying activities, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive environment, you can transform your ILT programs into powerful tools for employee development and organizational success.

Before choosing instructor-led training activities, consider these points to avoid obstacles:

• Learning Objectives: Before starting, you must have a clear learning objective for the training program. What specific skills, knowledge, or behavior's do you want the learners to acquire?
• Learner Needs and Preferences: Evaluate the learners' prior knowledge, experience, and learning styles and tailor the activities that are appropriate for their level of understanding and cater to their preferred learning modes.
• Time Constraints: Check the available training time and select activities that can be done efficiently within the specified duration. Avoid activities that are too long or difficult for the time allocated.
• Technology Integration: Consider incorporating technology tools and resources like interactive presentations, online simulations, employee training tools, virtual reality experiences, or collaborative platforms to provide learners with diverse and engaging learning opportunities.
• Select Activities that Promote Active Participation: Avoid passive learning experiences and choose activities that require learners to actively engage with the activity, collaborate with others, and apply their knowledge.

Top 10 Instructor-Led Training Activities

Here are the top instructor-led training exercises for skill development:

1. Icebreakers

Icebreakers are excellent ways to start a training session and get participants to know each other. They can help create a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere and break down barriers between participants.

While selecting an icebreaking activity:

• Choose one appropriate for the group and the training session
• Ensure it is easy to understand and follow
• Make sure everyone gets a chance to participate
• Review the icebreaker at the end of the session to see what the group learned

There are many different types of icebreakers. Some icebreakers instructor-led training session ideas that you can include in a training session:

• Two Truths and a Lie
• Speed Networking
• Scavenger Hunt
• Icebreaker Bingo

Icebreakers can be a valuable tool for instructors when used effectively. They can help to create a more positive and productive learning environment.

2. Collaborative Activities

Lectures are a traditional form of creative ILT activities in which an instructor delivers information to a group of learners in a face-to-face or virtual setting. Lectures can be effective when introducing new concepts or providing an overview of a topic.  

To make lectures more effective, you can incorporate the following strategies:

• Break up lectures with activities such as discussions, quizzes, and case studies to keep learners engaged.
• Use multimedia presentations to make lectures more visually appealing and engaging.
• Encourage learners to ask questions and participate in discussions to deepen their understanding of the material.

Incorporating various activities into ILT sessions can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for your learners.

3. Workshop

Instructor-led workshop exercises prioritize active engagement over passive listening. Unlike lectures or presentations, workshops are guided by an instructor or facilitator who encourages collaboration and teamwork. Participants often divide into smaller groups to tackle problems, generate ideas, and devise solutions. This hands-on approach fosters a sense of friendship and mutual learning among team members. 

To Design an Effective Workshop, You Need to Consider a Few Points Like:

• Select activities that are relevant to the learning objectives
• Give participants clear instructions on how to complete each activity
• Make sure that all participants are actively engaged in the activities
• Give participants feedback on their performance

After the workshop, ask participants to apply what they have learned.

4. Group Discussion

In the context of instructor-led training (ILT), group discussions are powerful tools that can significantly enhance the learning experience for participants. By facilitating active participation, fostering collaboration, and promoting critical thinking, group discussions can transform ILT sessions from passive to dynamic and engaging.

Here Are Considerations for Implementing Group Discussion as Instructor-led Training Activities:

• Clearly define the purpose of the discussion and outline expected outcomes to guide participants' thinking and contributions
• Consider the optimal group size for effective discussion, typically ranging from 3 to 5 participants.
• Formulate open-ended questions that stimulate thought, encourage debate, and avoid prompting simple "yes" or "no" answers
• Choose a thought-provoking topic relevant to the training content and encourage diverse perspectives

By incorporating well-designed and facilitated group discussions into your ILT sessions, you can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that fosters deeper understanding, develops essential skills, and empowers participants to apply their knowledge effectively.

5. Games

Incorporating games into training sessions enhances employee engagement and is an effective tool for skill development and knowledge retention. A staggering 83% of employees who participate in gamified training experience increased motivation levels in their work. The rewards inherent in training games and instructor-led training activities, such as scores, points, and prizes, positively reinforce learning behavior's, improving knowledge retention and overall training outcomes.

6. Cross-training

Cross-training empowers employees to step beyond their specialized roles and gain proficiency in diverse tasks, enhancing their overall skillset and adaptability. This method promotes a deeper understanding of each team's contributions to the organization's objectives, ensuring seamless workflow continuity even during employee absences.

While traditional cross-training involves instruction from experienced mentors or trainers, it can also be effectively delivered through eLearning platforms or on-the-job training, catering to an organization's unique resources and requirements.

7. Case Studies

Rather than solely relying on theoretical concepts, individuals can gain a deeper understanding and practical skills through case studies, which present real-world scenarios. In this approach, employees actively engage with a specific challenge or situation, collaborating with team members to brainstorm potential solutions. 

Unlike debates, case studies mirror the complexities and nuances of real-world situations, equipping employees with transferable skills and the confidence to tackle similar challenges in their daily work.

8. Technology Integration

In today's tech-driven world, integrating technology into instructor-led training (ILT) sessions is no longer an option but a necessity. By strategically incorporating technology, you can transform your ILT programs into dynamic and engaging learning experiences that maximize participant engagement, knowledge retention, and skill development.

Here Are a Few Things That You Need to Consider for Technology Integration:

• Ensure chosen technology tools directly support and enhance the training objectives
• Provide adequate training and support to ensure instructors and participants are comfortable using the technology
• Prioritize user-friendly interfaces and accessibility features to cater to diverse needs and abilities

9. Simulations

Simulations place participants in realistic situations where they need to make decisions and face the consequences. This helps them develop critical thinking and judgement skills, analyze potential outcomes, and choose the most appropriate course of action. By successfully navigating simulated challenges, participants gain confidence in their abilities and develop adaptability to handle similar situations in the real world. This improved confidence helps them approach future tasks with greater preparedness and optimism.

How to Integrate Simulation Effectively:

• Select a simulation that aligns with the training objectives
• Provide clear instructions, explain the purpose of the simulation, and familiarize participants with the technology and tools involved
• Discuss key takeaways from the simulation, analyze decisions made, and encourage participants to apply their learnings to real-world situations

10. Demos

Demos offer a compelling solution by providing hands-on demonstrations of concepts, tools, and processes, bringing theoretical knowledge to life. You can create pre-recorded task demos as an efficient alternative. These demonstrations allow trainees to visualize the proper execution of tasks rather than simply imitating what they observe in the workplace.

You can even conduct live demonstrations and utilize video recording and editing software to produce concise tutorials, incorporating background music and detailed captions to enhance employee engagement and cater to diverse preferences. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the challenges of ILT?

ILT can be more expensive and time-consuming than other training methods. Finding qualified instructors and scheduling training sessions that work for everyone can also be challenging. Additionally, some learners may prefer self-paced learning methods.

How can one evaluate the effectiveness of the ILT sessions?

One can evaluate the effectiveness of Instructor-led training activities by:

• Defining clear goals you need to achieve from ILT
• Choosing appropriate engagement and motivation strategies
• Using synchronous and asynchronous tools to measure engagement and motivation
• Gathering feedback after the sessions
• Analysing the performance and behavioural change within the teams

What are some tips for creating effective instructor-led training activities?

Here are some tips for creating effective instructor-led training activities:

• Clearly define the learning objectives
• Develop a training plan
• Prepare the training materials, such as handouts and presentations
• Use a variety of instructional methods
• Evaluate the training to assess the effectiveness of the training activity

Conclusion!

ILT (instructor-led training activities) is a valuable tool for training and development. Using various ILT activities, you can create engaging and effective training sessions to help your learners achieve their learning goals. Edstellar is one of the leaders in training consultation, training administration management and training delivery services. Engage with us to uncover new possibilities in workforce transformation for your organization.