Facilitation Skills for Trainers

 

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“This class was the best!  Even if you think you are a rock-solid presenter, this program will improve your presentations and training material.” 

  • -Participant comment on course evaluation, 3-10-25 

“Module four gave me a new perspective on Presentations.  With the help of a classmate, I modified a stormwater/drainage funding presentation to use with a municipal board the next week.  The presentation was a success, and the board is implementing the funding recommendation.” 

  • -John Chlarson, Class Participant, 5-5-25 

“I learned different ways to teach different people, new software to enhance the trainings, and strategies for communicating more effectively during training classes.” 

  • -Participant comment on course evaluation, 5-5-25 

 

IPS Facilitation Skills for Trainers – Certification Program 2025-26 

This program, directed to enhance teaching and facilitation skills for our IPS full and part time trainers, consists of six modules targeted at the unique needs of our IPS instructors.  Program faculty consists of Master Instructors in adult education using proven instructional design methodology as they model an interactive teaching process.   

Modules may be taken individually or all six may be completed to become an “Institute for Public Service Certified Training Professional.”  For certification, a short “teach back” session will be required of participants incorporating their new skills applied to courses they currently teach, evaluated by program faculty.  The program is designed to be completed in one year, but in case of conflicts, participants will have two years to attain certification.   

All courses will be held in both Nashville and Knoxville enabling participants to enroll in the program closest to their residence but have the flexibility to make up a session at the alternate location. 

Length: 12 months  

Frequency: Classes offered every other month  

Course length: 9:30 am-2:30 pm (4 hours instruction and lunch break) 

Fee: $250 per class module 

Although all our courses require in-person participation, material will cover successful virtual teaching techniques. 

Target Audience: 

Full or part-time trainers working for the six IPS agencies.  If there is capacity, classes will be opened to select state employee groups. 

Course Information with Registration Links: 

Course 1: Train the Trainer Introduction Course – Sept 22 in Nashville, Oct 20 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Learn to create an engaging learning opportunity 

  • Provide learning that is readily applicable to the job 

  • Understand the need for a variety of learning styles and elements 

  • Capture the audience’s attention with an engaging introduction 

  • Provide information that allows connections with the audience and content 

  • Introduce a way to take a break from the content, through the use of brain-teasers and other activities, both mental and physical 

 

Registration:  https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M01_TtT_Intro 

Course 2: Learning Styles and Learning Exchanges – Nov 3 in Nashville, Dec 1 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Describe and identify different types of learners and learning styles (active, passive and multiple intelligences) 

  • Recognize types of Learning Exchanges (participant to participant, participant to trainer, trainer to participant) 

  • Identify and demonstrate using participant activities  

  • Activities, discussion, role play, case study, demo, peer teach, reflection, etc. Less talking  

  • Demonstrate use of activities for a sample of content 

 

Registration:  https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M02_LearningStyles 

Course 3: Dynamic Delivery – Jan 12 in Nashville, Feb 2 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Describe what every instructor needs to know about adult learners – adults aren’t empty vessels, what’s in it for them, relevance of learning to job tasks and business objectives 

  • How to establish rapport with the audience 

  • Asking great questions and responding to questions 

  • Practice facilitating a discussion 

  

Registration:  https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M03_DynamicDelivery 

Course 4: The Art and Science of Great Visual Presentations – March 2 in Nashville, April 13 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Capture information in a variety of ways (ppt, video, audio/podcast, job aid/manual) and demonstrate how to do so 

  • Present information in a variety of ways and demonstrate how to do so (white boards, flipcharts, handouts, online research, case studies) 

  • Think outside-the-box about what resources are most valuable to your audience 

  • Observe multiple tools and examples used and reflect on what was effective for your learning 

  • Teach Us What You Know opportunity  

 

Registration:  https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M04_VisualPresentations 

Course 5:  Tricks and Tips with Tools of the Trade – May 4 in Nashville, June 29 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Master tips and tricks of using PowerPoint and Canva 

  • Utilizing Templates 

  • Background design and master slides 

  • Turning slides into notes, and handouts, and resource pages 

  • Utilizing Canva to design custom visuals and graphics  

  • Demonstrate understanding of tools utilizing current presentation material 

 

Registration:  https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M05_Tools_of_the_Trade 

Course 6: Managing the Classroom/Difficult Participants – July 20 in Nashville, August 17 in Knoxville 

  • Objectives 

  • Tools: parking lot – unrelated thoughts, clear expectations and group rules, learner input, 2 cent idea, sticky notes, and walkabouts 

  • How to handle and manage different kinds of classroom participants  

  • Introduction and implementation of a 4-step intervention 

  • Teach Us What You Know - opportunity  

 

Registration: https://bit.ly/IPS_FST25-26_M06_ManagingClassroom 

  

Teach Us What You Know 

  • Demonstrate culmination of skills 

  • Integrate and apply best practices and knowledge into a relevant work product 

  • Teach a 10-minute segment, at the end of course 6 

 

Additional Registration and Billing Information: 

Classes will be capped at 20 participants and filled on a first come, first served basis in the K@TE system. 

For EMPLOYEES click on the course link and login using the CAS system.  Select location and click VIEW DETAILS then click REQUEST. You will receive a confirmation email of registration. 
 
For Non-UT employees: Create an account (or login if the registrant already has an existing account), then Add to Cart*, after accessing the cart, choose “Proceed to Checkout”, then 
select “Invoice” as Payment Method and complete the Checkout.  That will trigger an invoice, and CIS can create a transfer voucher from the agency responsible for covering that invoice. 

Deadline for registration and changing locations: 10 business days from the beginning of class. 

If you have questions or need assistance with registration, contact Felicia Roberts (Felicia.roberts@tennessee.edu).