Application Plan

Purpose

To prepare for the transfer of information back to the workplace.

Overview

Participants are asked to make a commitment on how they will use the material covered during the seminar.

Timing*

Introduce the concept early in the seminar.

Complete the action plans after segments of the program have been completed.

Materials

Copies of Application Plan, page ## 14.

Envelopes if option 6 is adopted.

Procedure

Early in the seminar

1.         Introduce the Information Transfer Cycle (see page ## 13.)

2.         Stress that for the seminar to be productive, it is necessary for experiences to be shared, available information to be incorporated and the resulting outcome to be tested in the workplace.

3.         Refer to the Application Plan (page ## 14) as a means of preparing for the use of the new learning back in the workplace.

4.         Announce that opportunities will be provided for completing these during the seminar, however participants may choose to complete additional plans at other times as they identify applications.

During the seminar

1.         Review the material covered in the segment.

2.         Divide into small groups of two or three.

3.         Ask participants to identify an aspect of the material covered that they can apply in their situation.  This need not be limited to work.  It may affect their personal goals (family, social, leisure, development ...etc.)

4.         Ask them to share their intention with the small group.  Suggest that they seek advice within the small group on potential modifications.

5.         Ask that they formalise the commitment by writing it down, using the application plan.  (Make copies of page ## 14 available.) 

6.         (Optional)  Provide envelopes for them to write a memo to themselves on their action plan.  Ask them to address the envelope.  Arrange to return them about one month after the seminar.

7.         (Optional) Seek feedback from volunteers on how they propose to use the information provided.

Background

The Information Transfer Cycle.

Each participant brings experiences to the seminar.  These experiences will provide springboards from which the learning process commences.

The session leader adds a theory base within which those experiences can be framed.  If participants share their experiences then the information base is expanded.

This information can only be turned into a benefit if it is applied.  The Application Plan provides a medium for transferring knowledge into benefits.

Requires Diagram 13

Technique

The repeated emphasis on applying the learning encourages the expression of concerns about the relevance of the material.

Asking that the information be shared, written and reported to the whole seminar ensures that the intentions are crystallised in the participants' minds while there is still time to resolve ambiguities, questions and doubts.

Application Plan

Item

I can use this to:

Potential benefits include:

I may need to modify it:

Necessary precautions include:

I may need support from:As a result of this, I will be able to: