Types of Training Activities: 5. Job-Aid Application

A Job-Aid Application involves supplying participants with copies of a job aid (such as a flow chart, checklist, diagram, glossary, or decision table) for performing a specific procedure. In a typical job-aid application activity, different participants learn different steps and organize themselves into teams to share their step and learn the other steps.

Sample Job-Aid Applications

Here are brief descriptions of six job-aid applications.

Continuous Improvement

The objective for this job-aid application is to systematically improve a training activity. The facilitator walks through a checklist for evaluating training activities. The participants are divided into two teams and asked to apply the checklist to the same training activity. During an ensuing discussion, the participants compare the changes recommended by the teams based on each checklist item.

Improved Storytelling

The objective for this job-aid application is to improv the participants’ storytelling ability. The participants listen to a story. Each participant then applies a presentation tip to retell the story. The group members analyze the tip and discuss on how effectively it was used by the storyteller.

Magical Selection

The objective for this job-aid application is to secretly use a job aid without losing your credibility. The participants place their finger on a printed table at a random cell. They move their finger around in an apparently random fashion only to end up in the same final location.

Speaking Plainly

The objective for this job-aid application is to simplify a document into plain English. The facilitator distributes a checklist with 10 guidelines for simplifying the language in a document and demonstrates how to apply it to a sample paragraph. Different participants are assigned different items and asked to apply the item to the same paragraph.

The Perfect Participant

The objective for this job-aid application is to select and apply key guidelines for participating in a training session. Different participants get different ground rules for participating effectively in training workshops. Each participant selects the most useful ground rule. Later, the participants organize themselves into teams, discuss their choices, and come up with a set of most useful ground rules.

Total Fun

The objective for this job-aid application is to apply a checklist and other tools to create an impressive mathematical demonstration. The participants attempt to construct a 5 x 5 magic square with 25 different numbers arranged to yield the same total along all rows, columns, and diagonals. After a few minutes of frustration, the participants receive a packet of job aids and watch a demonstration of using them to construct numerous magic squares. After working independently and in teams, the participants complete homework assignments for additional practice.

Detailed instructions for conducting each of the job-aid applications will be provided in my forthcoming book.