Saturday, October 2, 2004

Tip #48: Quick Kinesthetic Experiential Training Methods: Skit

The kinesthetic learner is often the most difficult to satisfy in classroom training. However, there are some creative ways to add movement to classroom content review activities. These kinesthetic activities provide whole body learning, which increases retention. Today, we will discuss the Skit.

What: A Skit is a short humorous sketch in which the participants act out their understanding of content relevant to them.

When: It can be used at any time you would like to review what learners have learned.

Why: It is intended to provide physical activity to meet the needs of kinesthetic learners, as well as whole body learning. It also incorporates humor in a play-like activity to check comprehension.

How: It is best used after the participants have attained a clear understanding of the content.

First, use an instrument to have the participants conduct a self-assessment (of their personality type, learning style, managing style, conflict management style, etc.) to determine their personal style.

Debrief the assessment results and further clarify the results (through large group discussion, individual reading, and/or small group brainstorming).

Then (and only then) are the participants asked to group with others who have the same style and to develop a brief, humorous skit intended to demonstrate the strengths and challenges of their shared style.

Provide approximately 10 minutes for the groups to work on their skit, which should only be 2-3 minutes in length.

All of the participants in the group should be involved in designing the content and format of the skit. Encourage them to use props and audio- visuals.

However, leave it entirely up to the group to decide how they will present the skit. There are many options, which they can determine for themselves. They can actively involve all of the members, have one person act as a master of ceremonies, have different participants act out different aspects of the style or mini-skits, or have some members act standing and the others more passively react from their seats. This enables the groups to respect each participant's comfort level with this activity.

Each group then presents their skit, deepening both their comprehension and the comprehension of the rest of the group. When each group is done, their skit is applauded.

As with role plays or simulations, a skit is typically used toward the end of the training session, after the participants have established a sense of trust and comfort with each other.

Benefits: There are a number of benefits to the use of a Skit:

  • It can build physical activity into content review.

  • It can increase participant physical energy.

  • It can link what they are learning to what they already know.

  • It can give kinesthetic learners an opportunity to move their bodies in order to learn.

  • It can test the participants' ability to literally think on their feet.

  • It can make learning review fun.

  • It can deepen learning and comprehension.

Level of Learning: Comprehension.

Learning Styles: Kinesthetic, interactive, aural, visual, and possibly, print.

Next week, which begins the new year, we will start an in-depth exploration of ways to engage each of the senses in order to meet different learning needs and increase learning and retention.