When attending class or mandatory training what are the signs that the class will be mind numbing?

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:13:03 -0400

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 3 at 2015 12:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:15:25 -0400

A chart that says slide 1 of 500 is an obvious sign that this class could be mind-numbing SFC Stephen King.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 3 at 2015 12:17 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:17:33 -0400

Reading from the slides has to be the worst thing anyone can ever sit through when it comes to a class. I think one sigh of the quality of the class is the excitement and energy of the person that is about to teach the class. If that person is energetic and excited about the material, than that energy and excitement will be passed down to the class. I know this is rather hard, especially with the routine mandatory training materiel but as leaders we should look for ways to inject this energy and excitement into the glasses and keep them fresh. And just changing the date at the bottom of the slides does not mean you "freshened them up". Look around for new ways to present some of the rather dry and boring details.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Sep 3 at 2015 12:20 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:20:26 -0400

The number of ppl who fall asleep

Response by SGT Redhawk OKie made Sep 3 at 2015 12:20 PM

SGT Redhawk OKie — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:20:27 -0400

I have been working with FBI antiterrorist group for 4 years and on Jihadist watch team. Been involved in intelligence gathering

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 12:20 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:20:39 -0400

I know it's not 100% what you're asking but some general rules for powerpoint are intentionally violated in just about every class and briefing.

It is meant to be a tool for the briefer (and audience) to trigger discussion, not to be read verbatim. Bullets shouldn't be full sentences, and should also not fill the page.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:15:18 -0400

No voice modulation of the instructor, and the class sitting posture affects their attention span. If the class is not upright with their legs and arms crossed, they will likely fall asleep.

The next class I teach will have a small ball to throw around. If someone wants to speak, then they have to receive the ball. If someone is asleep, then they may find a ball approaching them at a high rate of speed.

Note to self: must include thrown ball at face as part of the composite risk management...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 3 at 2015 1:16 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:16:37 -0400

The moment 1SG or the CSM have "more important things to do" and leave with the CDR's.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 3 at 2015 1:18 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:18:35 -0400

Usually the fact that it is mandatory to begin with is a good indicator.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:21:21 -0400

If Power Point is present, it will be mind-numbing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 2:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:32:40 -0400

As soon as they say "mandatory training" is when my brain gets numbified.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 2:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:48:29 -0400

There are 50 slides so I cut down to 40 for you.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 5:40 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:40:07 -0400

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 5 at 2015 9:46 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 09:46:08 -0400

Having the presenter just read off the slides ...