Modules

Module: Training of Trainers

This free educational module provides an outline for teaching senior journalists the skills needed for developing and delivering effective training for media professionals.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) module equips senior journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, deliver, and evaluate effective training courses for journalists and newsroom managers.

Through a structured six-week curriculum, participants will explore essential training principles, learn to conduct needs assessments, develop engaging training materials, and master facilitation techniques. The module emphasises practical application, ensuring participants can confidently lead their own ToT initiatives and contribute to the professional development of their peers.

Module outline:

Week 1: Foundations of effective training

Topic: introduction to training principles and the role of the media trainer.
- Activities:
  - Introduction to the module and participant expectations.
  - Discussion on the importance of training in the media industry.
  - Exploration of the core principles of adult learning.
  - Reviewing the article: “Training of Trainers (ToT)”
    - This article explains what ToT is, how it can be applied to the media industry, and the benefits ToT brings to a media business.
  - Reviewing the article: “Adopting the right attitude for media training“.
    - This article emphasises the importance of a positive, supportive, and learner-centred approach to training. It highlights the need for trainers to be patient, empathetic, and adaptable, creating a conducive learning environment.
  - Reviewing the article: “The essential qualities of a media trainer”
    - This article outlines the key attributes of an effective media trainer, including strong communication skills, subject matter expertise, and the ability to inspire and motivate learners.
- Timetable:
  - Morning: Introduction and overview.
  - Afternoon: Discussion and initial training discussion and analysis.

Week 2: Planning and designing training programmes

Topic: conducting needs assessments and developing training plans.
- Activities:
  - Reviewing the article “Gap analysis in media training“.
    - This article provide a structured approach to identifying the gap between current skills and desired competencies. It explains how to gather data, analyse findings, and prioritise training needs.
  - Completing the lesson “Lesson: Gap analysis”
    - This lesson takes participants through the steps needed to carry out gap analysis and apply the findings to the training course they are creating.
  - These two resources provide a structured approach to identifying the gap between current skills and desired competencies. They explain how to gather data, analyse findings, and prioritise training needs.
  - Reviewing the article “SMART objectives for media training”
    - This article explain how to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound training objectives. This ensures that training courses are focused and effective.
  - Completing the lesson “Lesson: SMART objectives”
    - This lesson takes participants through the process of researching, interpreting and setting SMART objectives.
  - Developing a training plan based on identified needs and objectives, informed by the article “How to design a successful media training plan“.
    - This article provides a step-by-step guide to creating a comprehensive training plan, including content development, delivery methods, and evaluation strategies.
- Timetable:
  - Morning: Gap analysis and objective setting.
  - Afternoon: Training plan development.

Week 3: Content development and delivery

Topic: creating engaging training materials and mastering delivery techniques.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS):
  - For a group of seasoned professionals, accustomed to the immediacy of news cycles and the complexities of media landscapes, a Learning Management System (LMS) offers a structured and flexible approach to learning. It’s more than just a repository of documents; it’s a dynamic platform tailored to the specific needs of these experienced learners.
- Activities:
  - Designing interactive and engaging training materials.
  - Exploring various training delivery methods, including lectures, workshops, and simulations.
  - Practising delivery techniques and receiving peer feedback, based on the article “Basic rules for delivering training”
    - This article provides essential guidelines for effective training delivery, including creating a positive learning environment, using clear and concise language, and managing time effectively.
  - Reviewing the article “Five essential steps for media training”
    - This article gives a simple way to structure a training session.
- Timetable:
  - Morning: Content development.
  - Afternoon: Delivery practice and feedback.

Week 4: Maximising training impact

Topic: strategies for enhancing learning and retention.
- Activities:
  - Exploring techniques for maximising the impact of training, as outlined in the article “Maximising the impact of media training“.
    - This article provides practical strategies for enhancing learning and retention, including using real-world examples, incorporating interactive activities, and providing ongoing support.
  - Discussing methods for fostering a positive learning environment.
  - Strategies for supporting ongoing learning and application of skills.
- Timetable:
  - Morning: Impact maximisation strategies.
  - Afternoon: Practical application and discussion.

Week 5: Evaluation and feedback

Topic: assessing training effectiveness and gathering feedback.
- Activities:
  - All training will eventually be evaluated to discover that impact it had. There should also be an assessment of the long term benefits. See Evaluation, impact, and assessment to understand the processes.
    - This article shows the steps needed before, during and after training and is helpful for media managers who want to find out whether the training had the effect they wanted.
  - Another article “Evaluating the impact of training” offers other ways to assess what worked and what didn’t.
    - This article provides a framework for evaluating training effectiveness, including measuring learning outcomes, assessing participant satisfaction, and determining the return on investment.
  - Developing evaluation tools and methods.
  - Practising giving and receiving constructive feedback.
  - Review of the article “How media assistance could improve“.
    - This resource gives a good idea of the macro problems that training is trying to solve, and the problems that are faced by media organisations. It offers a real-life perspective from those in receipt of training.
- Timetable:
  - Morning: Evaluation methods.
  - Afternoon: Feedback practice and tool development.

Week 6: Training delivery and peer review

Topic: participants deliver their own mini-training sessions and receive peer review.
- Activities:
  - Participants design and deliver short training sessions on a chosen topic.
  - Peer review and feedback sessions.
  - Final reflections and action planning.
  - Module wrap-up and evaluation.
- Timetable:
  - All day: Participant training deliveries and peer reviews.
- Assessment:
  - Participation in discussions and activities.
  - Development of a training plan.
  - Delivery of a mini-training session.
  - Evaluation and feedback reports.

Summary:

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the training process, from initial planning to post-training evaluation. Participants will learn to identify training needs, set clear objectives, design engaging content, and deliver impactful sessions. The module focuses on developing essential trainer qualities, understanding adult learning principles, and maximising the impact of training interventions. By integrating practical exercises and real-world examples, this module prepares senior journalists to become effective trainers of trainers and media leaders in their field.