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The Art and Science of Training
<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> There are more similarities than differences between how artists and scientists work. Both ask countless questions. Both search in earnest for answers. Both are dedicated to reaching the best results. Not so different from today's trainers, are they? Elaine Biech, one of the most highly regarded names in talent development, has set out to identify the perfect blend of content mastery and audience insight. The result is this highly informative book. The Art and Science of Training presents the science for learning and development, but it also emphasizes that training success lies in knowing what to do when things don't go as planned. Discover how top facilitators always put learners first, even when faced with exceptions to the rule—the unwilling learner, the uninformed supervisor, the inappropriate delivery medium, or the unmanageable performance challenge. And learn why you must understand people, not only content, to ensure consistently exceptional learning experiences. Science is both a body of knowledge and a process. Art is the expression of creativity and imagination. Where they intersect is the best way to help others learn and grow. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; %; "Calibri",sans-serif; } <![endif]-->
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304 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2016
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335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 20, 2023
Book of the Day – The Art and Science of Training
Today’s Book of the Day is THE ART AND SCIENCE OF TRAINING, written by Elaine Biech in 2016 and published by Association for Talent Development.
Elaine Biech is a world-renowned author, and expert in training, learning, and business change- She is president of ebb associates inc, a strategic implementation, leadership development, and experiential learning consulting firm. She is the author and editor of over 50 books.
As a consultant, she works with businesses on strategic planning, quality improvement, change management, reengineering of business processes, and mentoring programs. She fosters and advocates creativity, customer service, leadership development programs, time management, speaking skills, organizational communication, conflict resolution, and effective listening.
I have chosen this book, even if it has been written 6 years ago because I know the author and have used several of her suggestion while helping businesses to change, evolve, and become learning organizations.
One of the key ideas behind this interesting book is that there are more similarities than differences between how artists and scientists work. Both ask countless questions. Both search in earnest for answers. Both are dedicated to reaching the best results.
These points are the same that a good trainer should follow while helping a business.
The Art and Science of Training is a book mainly dedicated to introducing the reader to the science and the knowledge of learning and development by giving essential hints on how to deal with complex situations and tough teams.
The author speaks of a holistic approach to training, reached by combining both the art and science aspects. The book gives useful and practical suggestions on how to effectively design, deliver, evaluate, and improve training programs.
By reading the book it becomes clear that it is essential to understand what adult learning is and how it should be delivered to create engaging and impactful training programs. By considering the way adults learn best, trainers and consultants will design better content and thus will deliver knowledge and skills that will largely enhance the learning experience.
Biech also explores in detail the entire process of designing such training programs, including in her description key steps such as: conducting needs assessments, setting realistic objectives, selecting the most appropriate instructional methods, creating effective training materials, and measuring the outcomes.
About the delivery phase of the training, the book provides valuable insights into various training delivery methods such as classroom training, e-learning, virtual training, and on-the-job training by giving many practical tips on how to engage learners, handle difficult participants, and manage the whole training environment.
Of course, when you design a training program, you also have to design a proper Evaluation and Measurement phase. The author highlights the importance of properly assessing the delivered training programs’ effectiveness by using feedback and evaluating the positive impact on the individuals, the teams, and the organizations.
The book is organized in such a way that each chapter deals with a specific topic, which I find extremely helpful for those who love an organized way of working. The topics of each chapter are:
The Role and Skills of a Trainer
The Science of Learning and Instructional Design
Analyzing Training Needs
Setting Training Objectives
Selecting Instructional Methods
Creating Supportive Materials
Creating Engaging Presentations
Enhancing Learning Transfer
Delivering Classroom Training
Facilitating Virtual Training
Building Effective E-Learning
Conducting On-the-Job Training
Handling Difficult Participants
Managing the Learning Environment
Evaluating Training Programs
Measuring Return on Investment
The lesson learned by reading this book is that to become a good training designer and implementer, you always need to put learners and their unique needs first, even when facing unwilling learners, uninformed managers, inappropriate delivery mediums, or unmanageable performance. The reader will learn why understanding both people and content can ensure consistently exceptional learning experiences.
The Art and Science of Training is a valuable resource for anyone involved in training and development. The comprehensive approach presented in the book ensures that both the art of engaging learners and the science of instructional design are considered, resulting in impactful training experiences. I definitely recommend this book!
Today’s Book of the Day is THE ART AND SCIENCE OF TRAINING, written by Elaine Biech in 2016 and published by Association for Talent Development.
Elaine Biech is a world-renowned author, and expert in training, learning, and business change- She is president of ebb associates inc, a strategic implementation, leadership development, and experiential learning consulting firm. She is the author and editor of over 50 books.
As a consultant, she works with businesses on strategic planning, quality improvement, change management, reengineering of business processes, and mentoring programs. She fosters and advocates creativity, customer service, leadership development programs, time management, speaking skills, organizational communication, conflict resolution, and effective listening.
I have chosen this book, even if it has been written 6 years ago because I know the author and have used several of her suggestion while helping businesses to change, evolve, and become learning organizations.
One of the key ideas behind this interesting book is that there are more similarities than differences between how artists and scientists work. Both ask countless questions. Both search in earnest for answers. Both are dedicated to reaching the best results.
These points are the same that a good trainer should follow while helping a business.
The Art and Science of Training is a book mainly dedicated to introducing the reader to the science and the knowledge of learning and development by giving essential hints on how to deal with complex situations and tough teams.
The author speaks of a holistic approach to training, reached by combining both the art and science aspects. The book gives useful and practical suggestions on how to effectively design, deliver, evaluate, and improve training programs.
By reading the book it becomes clear that it is essential to understand what adult learning is and how it should be delivered to create engaging and impactful training programs. By considering the way adults learn best, trainers and consultants will design better content and thus will deliver knowledge and skills that will largely enhance the learning experience.
Biech also explores in detail the entire process of designing such training programs, including in her description key steps such as: conducting needs assessments, setting realistic objectives, selecting the most appropriate instructional methods, creating effective training materials, and measuring the outcomes.
About the delivery phase of the training, the book provides valuable insights into various training delivery methods such as classroom training, e-learning, virtual training, and on-the-job training by giving many practical tips on how to engage learners, handle difficult participants, and manage the whole training environment.
Of course, when you design a training program, you also have to design a proper Evaluation and Measurement phase. The author highlights the importance of properly assessing the delivered training programs’ effectiveness by using feedback and evaluating the positive impact on the individuals, the teams, and the organizations.
The book is organized in such a way that each chapter deals with a specific topic, which I find extremely helpful for those who love an organized way of working. The topics of each chapter are:
The Role and Skills of a Trainer
The Science of Learning and Instructional Design
Analyzing Training Needs
Setting Training Objectives
Selecting Instructional Methods
Creating Supportive Materials
Creating Engaging Presentations
Enhancing Learning Transfer
Delivering Classroom Training
Facilitating Virtual Training
Building Effective E-Learning
Conducting On-the-Job Training
Handling Difficult Participants
Managing the Learning Environment
Evaluating Training Programs
Measuring Return on Investment
The lesson learned by reading this book is that to become a good training designer and implementer, you always need to put learners and their unique needs first, even when facing unwilling learners, uninformed managers, inappropriate delivery mediums, or unmanageable performance. The reader will learn why understanding both people and content can ensure consistently exceptional learning experiences.
The Art and Science of Training is a valuable resource for anyone involved in training and development. The comprehensive approach presented in the book ensures that both the art of engaging learners and the science of instructional design are considered, resulting in impactful training experiences. I definitely recommend this book!
October 20, 2022
Elaine Biech offers great insight into helping trainers improve their facilitation and design skills to engage adult learners. She provides theory and principles and how to apply them to the real world of training development.
Training and learning are a science, but to be successful with your trainings, you do need to think on your feet - this is where the art comes in - because your training sessions may not always go according to what you had planned. Improvisation and knowledge of how the participants learn are two key things that you need to achieve your goal of helping people improve their skills set and knowledge.
Training and learning are a science, but to be successful with your trainings, you do need to think on your feet - this is where the art comes in - because your training sessions may not always go according to what you had planned. Improvisation and knowledge of how the participants learn are two key things that you need to achieve your goal of helping people improve their skills set and knowledge.
November 5, 2020
Una buena referencia para toda persona que se encuentre trabajando en el área de capacitación. Hace un repaso por todos los conceptos básicos le área, lo que funciona, lo que podría funcionar y cierra cada tema con una serie de preguntas para reflexionar.
Además, este libro ayuda a poner los pies en la tierra cuando se quiere ir mas allá en el desarrollo e implementación de entrenamientos para ver que es factible y funcional con la audiencia a la que va dirigido. La cuestión no siempre es innovar, sino adaptarse a las necesidades del usuario final.
Además, este libro ayuda a poner los pies en la tierra cuando se quiere ir mas allá en el desarrollo e implementación de entrenamientos para ver que es factible y funcional con la audiencia a la que va dirigido. La cuestión no siempre es innovar, sino adaptarse a las necesidades del usuario final.
February 2, 2018
I read this for a management class called growing and developing talent. It was a quick and easy way. It is full of many ideas and practices that can assist you in training preparation and delivery. Key points for me were adult learning theory, 70-20-10 and how to ensure transfer of knowledge. Good information.
March 19, 2022
an excellent read for new and experienced trainers
The author provides the essential theories for training professionals, and shared many practical suggestions with personal experience that I can put into my daily practice. An enjoyable and inspiring book recommended for all training professionals.
The author provides the essential theories for training professionals, and shared many practical suggestions with personal experience that I can put into my daily practice. An enjoyable and inspiring book recommended for all training professionals.
August 26, 2022
There are some parts of this book that are really relevant to teaching, and teaching adult learners. I feel like I got the most out of the last five chapters of this book. Good points, but nothing earth shattering.
February 4, 2018
This book makes me feel enthusiastic and excited to host my next training, and to continue professional development. I liked all the resources included, too.
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May 11, 2021this was required reading for SCOM 449: Communication Training
May 6, 2025
For a learning and development professional, this book is a great refresher and reference to keep on the shelf. I have shared many of these nuggets with my team. It's very useful and accurate!
January 25, 2024
Elaine consistently contradicts herself, will make a statement and then later call it "fact", doesn't argue any of her points, misrepresents cited sources, and has weird beef with neuroscientists. if I had submitted papers even half as bad this my profs would have torn me apart.
November 13, 2024
It's amazing how many things I thought i knew and found out, I didn't through this book !
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews