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Asked and Answered: Class Size and SMEs By Bob Pike CSP, CPAE A reader asks: I am trying to develop a position for our organization's use of Subject Matter Experts as trainers in matters that are technical and require their expertise. Is there an industry standard for a ratio of students to instructors in a lecture setting? Does it differ if the class is designed for case studies that require participants to form into groups of 4 to 5 people? Does it differ if the class is hands-on with participants using computers?
I have tried a variety of sources and have not been able to find anything of help. I have enjoyed Creative Training Techniques and thought you might have an answer.
Bob Pike answers: I am not aware of any industry standard although I must admit that I cringe when I hear the words “lecture setting.” If you follow this link, you’ll find some suggestions on moving SMEs from lecture to being participant-centered.
I think it's also important to work with SMEs on their content since they tend to think that everything they know should be presented. We help them map everything and then divide it into need to know, nice to know, and where to go.The primaries for narrowing the field of eligible political candidates has passed and now political advertising has begun in earnest, both in print, on television and through the Internet. However, there's a platform I've never seen promoted, but I'd like to. Competition and power struggles between and within organizations are an inevitable part of business. That's not news. But an interesting item submitted to Creative Training Techniques newsletter by Mike Smith, a human resource manager back in the 1980s for Research Cottrell, Somerville, N.J., reminds me of the delicate balance trainers must strike vying for power within companies - strength that translates into healthy budgets, plentiful learning resources, appropriate staffing levels, involvement in important projects, but that does not intimidate or manipulate learners. Our annual conference is here, and we're so excited! The energy created by this event helps us get reinvigorated to do what we love doing as we see attendees "get it" regarding involving participants in their own learning. This week is a great time to get away and charge your batteries and plan so what you learn here is applied back at the office after a great week of experiencing learning at its best.
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