By Training Course Material FZE ·
Originally published: 30 July 2021 ·
Last updated: 14 August 2025
Great sessions don’t happen by luck. They come from noticing what worked, what dragged, and what to change next time. That’s reflection. Do it well and you’ll teach with less stress, get sharper results, and keep improving without rewriting your whole deck.
Quick primer: reflection vs. evaluation
- Reflection = your observations + small tweaks for next time.
- Evaluation = evidence that learning happened. (For that, see four ways to assess participants.)
- Do both, but keep them separate so neither gets fuzzy.
A simple loop to use every time
1) Pre‑brief (2 minutes) — state your bet: “If we open with X, we’ll get faster participation.” This primes you to look for evidence. If you need a tighter open, revisit the first 30 minutes.
2) In‑session checks — notice energy, airtime, and clarity. Keep a sticky note handy. When tech wobbles, switch to a no‑tech move (backup ideas here).
3) Post‑session five — answer the prompts below, choose one change, and slot it into your guide so you don’t forget.
4) Next run — test the change, then repeat the loop.
Post‑session prompts (copy/paste)
- Where did attention dip? What was happening?
- Which activity produced the strongest talk‑to‑job link?
- What did I over‑explain? What could be shown instead?
- Who spoke least? How will I invite them next time? (See engaging shy participants.)
- One thing I’ll change on slides, timing, or debrief.
Make reflection visible in your guide
Add a tiny block at the end of each module in your trainer’s guide: “What I’ll tweak next time.” That keeps the improvements close to the content. New to structuring your guide? Here’s how to use a trainer’s guide.
Fast in‑room reflection moves
- 30‑second pulse: ask, “Hold up fingers—how clear was that? 1–5.” Adjust on the spot.
- Write then speak: 60‑second jot, then pair share. Helps quieter voices. Time it (see time control).
- Quick retrieval: one question from the last segment to fight fade (why this works).
- Swap the explainer: invite a participant to restate the key point in plain words.
Use feedback without getting flooded
Ask for two things only: “What helped?” and “What to change next time?” Keep it anonymous and short. Then fold the best notes into your plan. For tone and wording, see giving effective feedback.
Peer eyes make you better
Trade 20‑minute observations with another trainer. Agree on one focus (e.g., questions, debriefs, timing). Swap notes over coffee. If you’re ready to support others, start here: become a trainer mentor.
What to track (lightweight)
| Signal | What it tells you | Next tweak |
|---|---|---|
| Energy dips at minute 20 | Too much talk, not enough doing | Insert a 3‑minute activity from the Free Games & Activities library |
| Quiet voices stay silent | Large‑group format is blocking them | Add write‑then‑pair before plenary |
| Confused faces in practice | Instructions unclear | Demo once; reduce steps; highlight key words |
Common traps (and easy fixes)
- Changing five things at once. Pick one tweak per run.
- Only asking the talkers. Use cold‑calls with kindness and pair shares.
- Letting time slip. Pre‑set timers and visible break times (time tactics).
- No link to the job. Close each segment with “Where will this show up this week?” For more on transfer, see applying knowledge beyond the classroom.
