Mastering trainer skills: an innovative and intensive five-day course in Brussels
‘The course exceeded my expectations and brought me something very valuable…
I rediscovered the joy of being a trainer.’
From 22 to 26 April 2024, the Department for International Police Missions of North Rhein-Westphalia (Germany), in collaboration with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), successfully hosted an impactful Training of Trainers (ToT) course. The course took place at the premises of the Representation of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union in Brussels, marking a significant return to the European capital after a five-year absence.
The programme began with a comprehensive introduction to the factors influencing learning and teaching. Topics included how we learn, the implications for teaching, managing stress, the importance of time management, and the role of effective visualisation in enhancing retention rates.
Participants then delved into the BOPPPS model, a comprehensive framework for lesson planning and execution. The ‘Objective’ section included an in-depth exploration of Bloom’s taxonomy, a classification system for learning objectives that helps in designing effective educational experiences. Participants learnt how to use Bloom’s taxonomy to create meaningful learning outcomes as a starting point for their lesson plans.
A highlight of the training was the teaching practice day, where participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired skills in a supportive and evaluative environment. Each session was recorded and provided for personal review, fostering a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement. Participants also received valuable feedback from peers and instructors, which was instrumental in refining their teaching techniques. The course also addressed practical challenges such as managing difficult classroom situations and navigating diverse cultural dynamics. These sessions equipped participants with strategies to handle real-world teaching scenarios effectively, enhancing their ability to adapt to various contexts and audiences.
This year’s course attracted a diverse group of participants from Sweden, Romania, Germany, the ICC, EUAM Ukraine, Spain and Frontex. The international mix of attendees enriched the learning experience, providing a broad spectrum of perspectives and insights. The collaborative spirit and dedication of all participants contributed significantly to the programme’s success, creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment.
Training should have an impact. This is where ToT comes into play, with a focus on active methodology and didactics. The emphasis on cognitive activation and detailed meta-level explanations has equipped participants with the skills and insights needed to excel in their instructional roles.
The ESDC and the LAFP NRW Department for International Police Missions are pleased to have facilitated this important and cross-cutting event. They look forward to continuing their partnership in future training endeavours, committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development among trainers and subject matter experts worldwide.
Participants’ comments: ‘Both content and methodologies described during the course fully applicable in my daily job. That’s a great result, because practice and theory have been perfectly balanced, giving also a great attention to interaction.’
‘Fully relevant to my role and will definitely boost my performance in terms of organisation and delivering training.’
‘I guess nothing could be done better, it was very professional.’
‘I am very satisfied both of the methods and the content provided. A remarkable toolbox has been offered to the trainees and that’s a great opportunity to make use of it when tailoring and crafting training curricula. Their mixed use can give great boost to strengthen the learning outcome and raise the quality of the training. Thank you!’
‘Outstanding and very professional training with perfect organisation and facilitation.’
‘Exceptional in everything. Top class!’
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