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All:

The following is from a 2008 document entitled "Promising Practices For
Out-Of-School Time Professional Development Conferences & Workshops." These
are not "presenter tips," but strategies to maximize the likelihood that
participants will enjoy and apply the workshop experience.

During the past four years, the Out-of-School Time Resource Center has
evaluated numerous out-of-school time (OST) conferences, non-conference
workshops and peer networking meetings.  From these evaluations, themes
emerged that suggest incorporating the following elements into a
professional conference or workshop, will yield higher levels of
satisfaction amongst participants as well as an increased likelihood of
participants applying the knowledge/skill from the workshop in their work
with youth.
	Offer networking opportunities.  By integrating opportunities for
workshop participants to network, participants are more likely to implement
and maintain knowledge/skills from the workshop. 
	Include interactive activities.  Participants reported greater
satisfaction when the PD opportunity included interactive elements (e.g.,
small group discussions, physical activity).  In addition, participants
indicated an increased likelihood of applying the new information when
interactive activities were included in the conference or workshop.
Similarly, presenters perceived participants being most satisfied with small
group discussions and physical activities.    
	Provide opportunities to practice.   When participants have time to
practice the knowledge/skill, they reported a greater likelihood to apply,
share and adapt the knowledge/skill from the workshop. By including
opportunities for participants to "teach" one another during the training
session, the likelihood for future OST program application increases.
	Invite knowledgeable, organized presenters.  Conference and workshop
organizers can ensure success by inviting presenters who are knowledgeable
in the subject, well-prepared and organized.  Knowledgeable presenters are
crucial to the success of OST conferences and workshops.  Participants who
perceived the presenters as being experts in the subject consistently
provided higher satisfaction marks and reported increases in
knowledge/skill.  Similarly, participants who rated the presenters high in
their presentation skills reported a higher likelihood to apply the
information in their work with youth compared to presenters who received
lower marks.  
	Present concrete strategies for program application.  OST
conferences and workshops should provide concrete strategies for
participants to share the new information with colleagues and to adapt the
information to their programs.  While participants typically reported that
they plan to apply the knowledge/skill in their OST program, providing
explicit strategies will further enhance application.  
	Integrate accountability mechanisms. Participants typically reported
that they will not be held accountable to implement the knowledge/skill.
Despite this finding, participants reported their intention to apply the new
knowledge/skill.  OST conferences and workshops that incorporate a system of
accountability can further increase participants' actual implementation of
the knowledge/skill in their OST program.


Nancy Peter, M.Ed.
Director
Out-of-School Time Resource Center
University of Pennsylvania
School of Social Policy and Practice
3815 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6179
Phone: 215-898-0640
Fax: 215-573-2791
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.sp2.upenn.edu/ostrc
 
 

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