Pre-work

Before the workshop begins, there are a few things to do so you can hit the ground running. None of this should take long — it's about arriving with something real to work with, not about getting ahead on theory.

Everything in the workshop is hands-on. You'll be designing, adapting, and refining training for a specific context — your own. The activities work best when you come in with a concrete training project in mind and some familiarity with the workbook content.

Don't aim for perfect

None of this pre-work needs to be polished. A rough attempt is far more useful than nothing at all — it gives you raw material to develop during the workshop. We'll be building on these skills together, so treat this as a starting point, not a finished product.

1. Gather your context

Bring whatever background information you have about your training project. This might include:

  • notes on who your learners are and what they need
  • existing materials, outlines, or session plans
  • any constraints you're working within (time, budget, access, language)
  • feedback from previous deliveries, if available

You won't need all of this for every activity, but having it on hand means you can make real decisions rather than guessing.

2. What is the long-term effect / impact you want to achieve

Think about the bigger picture behind your training. If everything goes well — not just during the sessions, but afterwards — what changes? Maybe your learners go on to use a new technique in their daily work, or they start making better decisions in a specific area, or they contribute to a shift in how their team or community operates.

This isn't about writing a perfect impact statement. It's about having a direction. When you know what long-term change you're aiming for, it becomes much easier to decide what belongs in your training and what doesn't.

Jot down a sentence or two. You'll refine this during the workshop.

3. Think about at least one outcome that will contribute to the above

What should your learners be able to do when they're done with your training? Try to think in terms of concrete actions: create, analyse, apply, evaluate, build, explain. "Understand X" is a starting point, but push yourself toward what that understanding looks like in practice.

You don't need a complete list — even one clear outcome gives you something to work with in the workshop.

4. Think about at least one activity

For at least one of your outcomes, think about an activity or exercise that would let learners practise that skill. It doesn't need to be fully designed — even a loose idea is useful.

5. Look for learning resources

Do a bit of research to find resources that support your outcomes — things your learners could read, watch, or work through. For example, if you want people to be able to apply a skill, you might find a resource that builds their foundational understanding first.

While you're at it, check whether those resources have any licences or restrictions around re-use, adaptation, or commercial use. This will matter if you actually want to use those materials.

6. Bring something you've made

If you have any learning material you've already created for your course — a handout, a slide deck, an exercise — bring it along. It doesn't need to be perfect. Having something concrete to look at and improve is more useful than starting from scratch.