What does a trainer mean to you?

Once upon a time – way too many years ago, I attended my first computer training class. I had no idea what to expect from the class nor what I should expect from the trainer. All I had to compare for this first experience in the IT training realm was my first days at college (which was much earlier than this first day in the classroom). I was excited but had some reservations about the success of this class. I came into the classroom –books were all laid out in a nice, neat manner with pens on top the boxes. Each student had their own computer and there were 12 of us in there. It was a mix of civilian and military (class was held in Germany, but was conducted in English. This training facility mainly catered to the active duty military and civilians who worked for the military). I had worked with computers for a number of years up to this point, but little formalized training – but I did have a PhD in OJT! Then the trainer walked into the room….. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the instructor – after all, this was a computer class. After we went through introductions and our job roles, class settled down and we started into the material. Many years later I realized that as classes go, this one was uneventful (and from a trainer’s perspective – that is the way they are supposed to be!) The instructor presented material –students asked questions, labs went smoothly – an uneventful class – except it was my first class! I was very impressed with the instructor’s ability to handle the issues with in the class – answer questions and his poise at the podium. I was used to how the various members of the military acted in front of a large audience and how I felt as a Platoon Leader when I was standing in front of my soldiers – I had respect for the instructor! This was in the late ‘90s and even to this today – I have certain amount of trepidation on the first day of class – but I just remember how that instructor acted and responded on that first day of class so many years ago and act accordingly. What I learned then and have carried with me ever since is that the first few minutes of a class are critical for setting the stage for a successful learning experience.