How do passive listeners become active participants? How can they actively participate in discussions and exchange and have fun doing it? This is the essence of interactive methods and thus the core of our work. In our training courses, we share our experience with others. 

However, beyond the format of the panel discussion, interactive methods are still rarely used in many parts of the world. At least, that is our impression after having conducted the training course in many countries, including Turkey, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Georgia as well as the Philippines - and, again and again, in Germany. Our main conclusion: even though interactive formats are being used more and more widely, their potential seems far from exhausted.

In our training courses, the participants test each method we present - because training courses are no different from other types of learning in that participants learn more sustainably when they try things out for themselves. The methods are structured around modules that build on each other and each serve a different purpose:

  1. Introduction and energiser without topical reference
  2. A first introduction to the topic
  3. Deepening the topical introduction
  4. Main part containing longer and more complex methods
  5. Methods for presenting and discussing results
  6. Evaluation

Building on what they have learned, the participants then develop concrete schedules for upcoming events in which at least some of the interactive methods are incorporated - the number varies depending on the world region or even organisational culture: when facing an audience that is unfamiliar with formats beyond lectures and panel discussions, it's advisable to pace yourself when introducing new methods and give participants time to adjust to new forms of interaction and learning. 

We are particularly pleased with the sometimes enthusiastic feedback we receive from former participants after they have incorporated interactive elements into their events for the first time. However, there is still a long way to go before interaction outweighs traditional lecture formats worldwide. But it is worth the effort...

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