Wow! wow! wow! and... wow!
That's the first thing that comes to my mind, when I'm thinking about today's workshop!
Do you remember my story about the 5th day? (If you don't... you know... it's only two posts back :P) At the end of that story I wrote that I was looking forward to a specific workshop... Well, that workshop took place today and I was definitely far from disappointed!
Maybe now you're asking yourself: "What is that girl so excited about?" Well... I won't wait for the level of suspense to grow up any more, so I'll tell you... The reason for my excitement has a name, and that name is SCI-FI.
You still don't get it? You're thinking about Science fiction, maybe Stargate or Start Trek, and you're wondering "How is that connected?", but you can't come up with an answer? Oh, you're not stupid, don't blame it on you... Blame it on me! 'Cause I'm just playing with mnemonics. (:
S killed trainer
C reative approach
I nformative content
F unny remarks
I nteractive methods
These are the main characteristics of today's workshop. And now I'm going to explain them all, one by one, so that you can understand my overwhelming emotions.
~Skilled trainer
I've been to many (maybe about 20) workshops before STEPin, and I can tell without any doubts that, in my opinion, Marcus Vock is the most skilled trainer of all I've had till now. Should I go into details by this one? Maybe not? However, I definitely will at some point (: "Why?" Because I'm outspokenly amazed by that person. (: "And why?" Hm... just continue reading and you'll see! (:
~Creative approach
Most of the trainers use PowerPoint Presentations or another ways of organizing and visualizing their information. However, what is new here, is e.g. the extra slide for the 10-minutes coffee break with a Mark Twain's quote on it; the extra slide for the lunch break with a funny picture on it (the picture in this post, i.e.); the interesting quotes, thoughts or mnemonics, which help you understand and remember the information easier; and so on creative stuff... There are many examples from that workshop, but I think you got the idea. (:
~Informative content
I actually learn something at these workshops (which is not the case with workshops in general)! Marcus has the ability to chose the exact necessary information - a peace of information that is well known and that's a good ground for building interesting new information on. And that new thing is usually very useful and helpful. The first example that comes to my mind - today he told us a really nice technique to start a presentation with, and I'm definitely going to use it often.
~Funny remarks
What is really helpful to a good presentation, is a joke... you know... just a number of little tiny jokes, which make the whole atmosphere funnier and more casual, and make you pay attention to the trainer, in case you've gotten distracted by something else.
~Interactive methods
Preparing games and exercises, keeping eye contact, smiling (!), asking questions, asking for expectations or opinions, sharing something about yourself now and then... That's another set of great things, that helps Marcus to hold the attention of the audience.
So... what was my point by writing all that SCI-FI stuff? It looks a little (maybe not so little) bit like an analysis of Marcus' presenting skills, doesn't it? Hm... Am I not supposed to write here about the things I've learned, liked or disliked during the day, not to analyse the trainers?
Well... there is a reason for everything. (:
Now it is the right time to mention, that today's main topic was "Work techniques", which included how to prepare (to manage research and knowledge, to construction) and how to do a presentation. So, I admit it's true, everything I wrote up here is really my observation of Marcus' presenting techniques, but, at the same time, it's a huge part of the information he gave us today... The exciting thing is, I'm not sure if he even realised that, but he taught us (or at least me) how to present good, not only with his word, advises and practical exercises... He did it by doing a great work while presenting the information himself. I could learn about 80% of the things, he tried to teach us, by only observing him and his techniques.
That's the reason I'm so greatly amazed!
Did I make it clear enough? I really don't know, but I hope so. ^^
In case I didn't succeed - sorry for wasting your time... (:
And remember: You will spend the most of your time on the computer - either to work on it, or cause it's not working. (by Marcus) (x
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