Q: What is your training style?

A: Our training events are unique – the learning experiences are living examples of “brain-compatible” teaching. Our training style is based on cutting-edge neuroscience, utilizing what we have learned about relevancy, engagement, humor, movement, novelty, attention, emotional states, and music. Our learning events are rich in meaningful content without the “long lecture” feel. Each new learning topic begins by engaging the learners and establishing the relevancy of the content, followed by lectures/demonstrations designed to explore the content interspersed with opportunities for the participants to practice using the information and make connections in quick small group discussions. We end each new learning topic by debriefing and by using stories or metaphors to add depth and an emotional connection to the topic. We believe that the thirst for knowledge is never quenched by dry lectures, so our training events are not what we call “death by PowerPoint.”

Q: Do Mike and Chelsea train as a team, or individually.

A: Both! Ideally we train as a team. We have found that participants enjoy our workshops more when we train together because our styles complement each other well and it adds novelty and a change of learning states that are good for learning. We have different levels of expertise and knowledge, so we can provide a wider range of knowledge and information when we train together. We also conduct a lot of training events individually. Especially when training budgets are limited as is often the case, we are happy to do “solo acts” to help limit expenses.  The only exception to this is the unique Train Smart: Brain Smart session that is delivered by Mike and Chelsea as a team.

Q: What will learners get out if it?

A: Participants will leave with not only many practical on-the-job applications of this training, but with relevancy established. Participant will be able to answer the question of “What’s in it for me?” They will not only be able to share the skills they learned, but they will be able to describe why the skills are important and why they are in the educators’ best interest to implement.

Q: How do you want your room set up?

A: We like to move around and to be on the same floor level as the audience so that we can interact more easily.  If a stage is necessary for a large audience to be able to see, an open stage is best.  We will not use a podium.  We require a couple of presenter tables at the front of the room for our sound system, workshop materials and props.  Our desired room setup can be either theatre-style or classroom-style, as long as it is “loosely packed.”  We use music and movement in all workshops. Tables or too many /tightly packed chairs prevent movement. If there is plenty of space and you want round table for note taking, we strongly suggest a “half crescent” configuration, so that all of the chairs face the front of the room (stage).  Real walls and not partitions help ensure music does not bother other workshops. 

Q: What are your audio-visual needs?

A: For all audiences, we require a flip chart, projector stand with power strip, and screen appropriate to the size of the audience. We provide our own music system and laptop. For small audiences or rooms without a lot of ambient lighting, we can provide our own multi-media projector. For large audiences, keynote presentations, or rooms with a lot of ambient lighting, we require an appropriately bright projector. For large audiences/rooms we require voice amplification with lavaliere microphones so that we can move around, use our hands, and interact with the participants.

Q: What else should we provide?

A: We suggest name tags and pens for all learners. Water is important for the brain, so drinking water is recommended. A sustained level of glucose is good for learning, so some easily accessible candy or other snacks is helpful. If you make copies of handout in advance – please do not distribute them in advance. We sometimes distribute handouts and other resources in playful and novel ways as an intentional part of the program.

Q: Can we video the presentations?

A: Because of licensing issues with visual images included in our presentation, video/digital recording is prohibited. Audio recording is permitted.

Q: Can we have copies of the PowerPoint Presentation?

A: Yes, we are happy to provide “hard copies” of the slides as part of the participant handout when requested. Because of licensing issues with the visual images included in our presentation, we cannot provide digital copies of the PowerPoint Presentation. We do provide the information where anyone interested in the images we use can legally purchase them from the same source from which we purchased them.