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DRIVING RESULTS THROUGH TRAINING

re·sults - For adults, learning can be both fun and challenging.  I believe it is critical to present material in such a way that it is engaging and also fun.  No one likes to be lectured to for hours on end, nor is that a good way to learn and retain information.  Here are some of the core principles I strive for in designing and implementing training programs:

MY CORE PRINCIPALS UTILIZED IN TRAINING

LEARNING SHOULD BE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

"Kyle kept it moving at a good pace while implementing an element of fun in the learning process" - Class Participant

Think back a moment to your least favorite lecture in high school or college. The professor probably stood up in front of the class and lectured non-stop for what seemed like hours on end.  Adult education does not have to be that way!

For many adults it can be intimidating going back into the classroom, especially if they have been away for an extended period of time.  I feel that it is critical to provide a positive experience in the classroom where everyone is comfortable enough to ask questions as well as provide their own insights.  Learning does not have to be dry and boring and by creating interactive exercises and nurturing a culture of acceptance, training can be a positive experience for everyone.

• Keep it positive in the classroom and respect each other's ideas
• Encourage discussion, interactions and questions
• Keep the material moving along
• Try to add an element of fun whenever possible

MAKE SURE THE MATERIAL IS RELEVANT & PRACTICAL

"Kyle made the content interesting, relevant, and fun and always ensured that we understood what we were learning." - Class Participant

Adults want to know why the material is applicable to them.  How can this information help ME with my job each day?  If students understand and see the value of something, they will take the time to learn the material.

• Research the material thoroughly ahead of time
• Discover why the material is critical for the attendees
• Help the attendees to discover this importance
• Use real life situations and examples

ACTIVELY ENGAGE CLASS PARTICIPANTS

"Kyle Groce was an interactive & involved trainer" - Class Participant

Another important part of any adult education class is keeping everyone engaged in the material.  One of the ways I have been able to do this is through the use of case studies. 

By using real world scenarios I actively challenge everyone in the class to not only learn the concepts, but also then demonstrate how the technology or concept applies to the situation.  Group projects and demonstrations are also used.

• Use people's names
• Ask people questions and get them involved- 'John, what do you think about...'
• Make the presentation relevant to their needs through the use of case studies and real life situations
• Get everyone involved with discussions, projects, and activities

UTILIZE DIFFERENT TEACHING STRATEGIES TO REACH EVERYONE

"He takes a step back surveys the situation and then comes up with solutions or alternatives." - Annual Review

Very early in my career, I learned that people have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning.  I was a high school environmental science teacher at a private school for children with dyslexia and other learning differences.  To reach my students at this school, it was imperative to utilize different teaching strategies that focused on key learning styles: visual learning, auditory learning, and tactile/kinesthetic learning. To learn more about these different learning styles, click this link: University College Dublin, Ireland.

• Utilize different approaches to instruction involving concepts from each learning style.  Don't rely on just one approach.
• Have people practice what they have learned and demonstrate a clear understanding of the material
• Get everyone involved with taking notes, filling out worksheets, participating in discussions, hands on projects and other activities

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN TRAINING & EDUCATION

MANAGED SALES TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

I was employed by CoStar Group as a regional trainer based in their Chicago office.  After approximately six months, I was promoted and asked to lead sales training for the entire company.  I was then transferred to CoStar's facilities in Maryland.

During my time at CoStar Group, I designed and implemented a sales training curriculum for a 1,300+ employee company.  The company specializes in software solutions and research for the commercial real estate industry. I was heavily involved with designing materials for the Sales new hire classes and was actively involved in classroom instruction, course design, document management, testing, and coaching.

• Constructed and delivered a sales new hire training program that propelled employees into production faster, leading to increased sales and better customer satisfaction
• Taught new hires how to fully utilize CoStar’s complex suite of internal and external applications so they could provide more value to their clients, resulting in increased retention
• Maintained a sales training intranet website that allowed students to learn at their own pace and take advantage of the manuals, step-by-step guides, videos, and other job aids that assisted them to close business
• Provided ongoing outreach and support by implementing a series of training webinars

TRAINED CLIENTS ON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

I was hired by Whittman-Hart as a consultant in their Supply Chain Practice.  At the time, Whittman-Hart was a mid-sized consulting company that focused on providing technology and management solutions for clients across the Midwest.  On March 1st, 2000, Whittman-Hart merged with a large dot com consulting company on the West Coast and became known as marchFIRST. 

I was involved in training and documentation  on several projects at Whittman-Hart including the development and implementation of training plans in support of various technology implementations.  This included training both end users and managers, as well as providing all supporting collateral. Some of the projects that had a large training component included projects with Cuisine Innovations (formerly DFG Foods), Robert Bosch Corporation, and Fellowes.

After successfully completing several projects, I was promoted to Senior Consultant and given larger, more complex assignments.  My final project with the company was working on a warehouse management system implementation for Fellowes. 

• Helped clients realize their return on investment by training both end users and managers on the use of new technology solutions
• Helped streamline operations by outlining both current and future business processes
• Ensured project success by creating supporting documentation and training collateral 

UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE LEARN DIFFERENTLY

The Gow School is the nation's oldest college preparatory school for boy's with dyslexia and other learning differences.  Founded in 1926 and located near Buffalo, New York, Gow's college preparatory curriculum is presented in small classes using a multi-sensory format in a technology rich environment

I taught 9th grade environmental science at Gow.  One of the things that assisted me in working dyslexic children was an intense summer training program, The Gow Teacher Training Institute.  During the summer training, teachers are taught the Orton-Gillingham method of language reconstruction as well as other strategies for working with people with learning differences.

My time at Gow had a major impact on how I have progressed as an adult educator.  It taught me to utilize different approaches in teaching and to look at each person as an individual.

• Designed interactive strategies to teach environmental science to dyslexic children
• Mentored students as a faculty advisor and coach
• Volunteered as the faculty advisor for the Student Council

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY

During my time in basic training and hospital corps school, I worked as my company's Educational Petty Officer.  in this role I was responsible for teaching night classes to my shipmates.  It was my goal to help every shipmate pass the intense training program in basic training, and also hospital corps school.

• During tenure as Educational Petty Officer, Company 933 maintained the highest academic rating on the entire base
• Received award from Commanding Officer Navy Hospital Corps School Great Lakes for achievement in education and volunteer work

STUDENT TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

During my senior year of college, I was selected as a student teacher and discussion leader at Indiana University, Bloomington.  I facilitated a discussion section with approximately 15 students that focused on core principles taught during the weekly lecture. Additionally, I was involved in student education as a Resident Assistant at Wright Quad. 

• Designed and implemented an alcohol awareness program at Wright Quad
• Facilitated weekly discussion section for undergraduate course dealing with topic of death and dying