TOT 91: Pointers

Pointers are used in Training programs:

1. To lead the participants to a point.
2. To refresh the memory of the participants.
3. To make them recap the important aspects dealt with.
4. To enable them to remember the concepts easily.
5. To reach to a point without beating round the bush.
6. To enhance retention capacity of the participants.

Pointer Simplicitor

Such type of pointers will not have any explanation/s associated with.

These are virtually like headlines.

Example

Different types of bargaining (a), (b), (c) (d)…

Pointer with very brief explanation

In this type, after the point to be noted is mentioned, a single line explanation follows

Or an example in a single line follows 

Example

Neutrality – conflict of interest
Panel advocate of a bank cannot mediate, where that bank is a Party.

WHEN ARE THE POINTERS USED

TO FILL IN THE ALLOCATED AND AVAILABLE TIME

Pointers are often used as FILLERS. When five minutes’ time or less than five minutes’ is left, pointers are used. Some professional trainers who want to maintain the time schedule effectively, even if two minutes’ time is left, do not close the session, but use the same for one or two pointers.

TO BRIDGE THE GAP

When the lead trainer finds that there is overloading of information by a trainer, and participants are not catching anything in specific, makes use of the pointers to bring home the point.

DURING RECAP

Pointers are used during recap to bring home the point/s dealt with on the previous day/s.

DURING PRE-BRIEFING

Trainer informs the participants as to what is required to be done by them during role plays/simulation exercises etc.

DURING DE-BRIEFING

Trainer refreshes the memory of the participants regarding theoretical concepts, and how they effectively made use of the same or failed to make use of the same during practical.

Example

Reactive devaluation
Explanation: Mediation to hide the source of offer

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Trainer marks five points and tells them one after the other.
Revisits each of these one after the other. Gives a single liner example to each of these.

DO’S AND DO NOT’S 

Pointers are also used by the trainers to enlighten the trainees about dos and do nots of mediation and of mediator.

Instead of having a separate session for this in 40 hours’ training program, five minutes’ time is allocated on each day of the training to do the same. 

The points related to that day’s topic, or topics covered on the previous days will alone be used by the trainer.

CHECKS

Trainer should not get into talking mode explaining a simple point in several sentences.

Trainer should choose a direct point

Where a complicated concept is dealt with, pointers are to be used only to mention the heading/title.

TOOLS

Pointers can be given in the form of:

1. palm chart/s
2. By displaying on the slides
3. Writing on the white or blackboard.

“Pointer takes out something moved under the carpet.”

Slamw

---

All copy rights reserved by the author S. Susheela