September 2024

Introducing the first edition of our T2 Center Instructor Quick Tips Newsletter on Engagement Tools and Strategies! We encourage you to please consider the following strategies in your training sessions today. We value YOU, our instructors, very much and want to continuously contribute to your professional development.

What's in This Issue:

Icebreakers
Engagement Tools and Strategies
Mary's Rules of the Road
NEW T2 PowerPoint Template
What's Happening in CT

When you are considering a tool or strategy, first ask yourself:

What’s the best tool for this particular training topic?
What value will this tool add to the learning experience?

Breaking the Ice...

Icebreakers are brief activities that help people get to know each other and can serve many purposes:

Ease introductions.
Create a safe learning environment.
Help students learn course content.
Set the tone or raise the energy level in the room.
Promote bonding.

When you are considering an icebreaker, remember your purpose!

Ready to Print Icebreaker Activities!

Engagement Tools & Strategies To Try!

Display an Image

Ask participants to tell you what they:

See
Think
Wonder

Ask participants to tell a small group:

2 Things You Notice
1 Thing You Wonder

Ask participants:

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Think, Pair, Share

Ask learners to answer an open-ended question. Give them a minute to think on their own, then ask them to pair with a partner to discuss their thoughts for 2 minutes.

Write and Rotate or ‘Carousel’

Hang flip chart paper around the room with different questions or writing prompts. Divide participants into small groups. Ask each group to brainstorm and write responses on one of the flip charts. Every 2 minutes, ask the groups to move to the next flip chart and add to what has already been recorded.

Gallery Walk

During a Gallery Walk, participants get up out of their seats and circulate the room. They can observe posted images, text, etc. (of your choice) and identify what they notice or questions they may have. Gallery Walk can happen silently or be an opportunity for peer discussion. Revisit important ideas by having each person/group record their thoughts.

Mary's Rules of the Road

As our instructors, you are representing our Center, and we want to ensure that you have the information you need to support our goals and those of our sponsors. In addition, as policies and processes change at the University, we will provide updates on anything impacting contracting or content. I will share tips and topics here, but don’t hesitate to contact me directly if any questions arise.

Our first item is our new PowerPoint template. Please see below to download and be sure to take a peek! We have started to integrate the look into our presentations and will be requiring instructors to switch over to it beginning in 2025. Join Vanessa Corrao for an optional ZOOM info session on Monday, October 28 at 1 PM, where she will cover best practices for use and tips on transferring a presentation from its existing template.

Download the NEW PowerPoint Template (ppt)

Download the Individual Slide Backgrounds (jpeg)

The second item is our “What’s Happening in CT” section below. Each issue will provide Connecticut-specific information for you to include in any training you feel is appropriate to address critical CT issues and reinforce your training messages. I am happy to chat with anyone who has questions about integrating this information into your trainings.

What's Happening in CT

Connecticut’s current statewide crash data summary is included below. As you can see, we have a serious roadway safety issue. We need to bring awareness to all facets of our public works and local traffic authority audience, so please consider how you might integrate this message into your upcoming trainings. There are many topics that would benefit from this message.

Have a question or a topic idea for the next edition of the Instructor Quick Tips newsletter? Don't keep it to yourself! Reach out to Vanessa Corrao, vanessa.corrao@uconn.edu, and let’s make the next issue even more incredible!