50 Creative Training Closers

Solem, Lynn, & Pike, Bob (1997).  50 Creative Training Closers.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.

Here are some sample techniques from the book.

1) Barrier Balloons II: divide class into teams; each team gets one section of course content.  Teams write five questions (for which they know the answers) on small slips on paper, which are inserted into balloons that have the group’s number marked on them.   The balloons are blown up and batted around the room before each team takes five of the balloons created by other groups.  Going around the room, each team pops a balloon and tries to answer the question in it.  If correct, they get a point; if incorrect, the point goes to the team that wrote the question (but only after they give the answer).  Small prizes are given.

2) Envelopes on the Wall: each person writes their name on the inside flap of an envelope and a question underneath on the back of the envelope.  The envelopes are taped to the wall with the questions showing, participants are given several 3 x 5 slips of paper or index cards, and they circulate answering questions and putting the slips in the envelope (envelopes can contain several answers).  At the end, writers retrieve their envelopes and share their question and one of the answers.

3) Keynote Review: tape one flip chart page to the wall for each major section of content.  Divide the class into the same number of teams and give each team a different colored marker.  Each team writes ten points on their chart, making sure to leave room on the chart.  Then each team presents their points.   Before the next class, tape the pages back up and begin class by letting teams circulate, writing additional points on other teams' summaries with their team's marker.

4) Name Tag Close: written on the back of each of the name tags passed out at the beginning of class is a question; its owner must listen for the answer to their question in the course content and report it to others at the end of training.

5) Stump the Participants: take two different colors of index cards (or cut different colors of paper into nine pieces per sheet).  Divide the class into two teams, assigning half the class or unit content to each team.  Teams write questions and answers for their content.  You gather the cards and have the first team answer questions from the second (and vice versa).   Every correct answer wins a point.  If a team is unable to answer, the team that wrote the question must answer correctly to win the point.  Modest prizes are awarded.

6) 3…2…1.  Give each person three index cards.  On the first card, they write three things they've learned, two course-related things they'll do the next day, and one thing the teacher could do to help them.  They then fill out their address on the other side of the card.  They copy the information to the other two cards, keep one and give the other two to you.  You mail one a week later and keep one so you can contact them later for the requested help.

7) Pomp, Circumstance, and Clump: when you give out achievement or "graduation" certificates, play "Pomp and Circumstance" in the background.  After each person accepts their certificate and shakes you hand, the class claps once all together (a "clump").

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