Ideas for using the ‘How to’ pages

These pages can be used in a variety of ways as resources for training or other learning exercises. However, it should be remembered that these pages were not developed for the specific purpose of training, they were developed to be a resource for multiple types of learning exercise, including and especially direct on-the-job application. It should also be noted that the pages will be developed further in the next phase of the Learning Package Project. More information such as case studies and further resources will be provided for each one.

As with the other materials decisions will need to be made about what can be done in the time available. In particular it should be noted that even the current short form of each page is too long to be used in any type of short, general training course. Using the pages as the primary content of training would require at least half a day to be given to the subject. Because of this the best ways to use the pages in training events or workshops would be either:

  • Preparatory reading: If you want the participants to come to the event prepared with some knowledge and ideas they could be given the relevant pages in advance.
  • Follow up resources: If you have done some exercises on a subject and want to give the participants something to take away for future references they could be given the relevant pages at the end of the event.

Example of working with the package: a two day training event on capacity development for technical experts preparing to go on posting in developing countries.

Key components in the workshop

  • Presentation based on the Core Concept section to give an overview of current thinking about capacity development
  • Small group exercises in which participants:
    • First, using a tool of their choice, for example mind maps or rainbow diagrams, map out what they know about the capacity development stakeholders in their projects, followed by presentations, sharing and discussion with the whole group
    • Second, identify ways in which they might approach different stakeholders to support capacity development initiatives, followed by presentations, sharing and discussion with the whole group
  • Presentation about specific models and approaches for capacity development in use by different agencies like UNDP, World Bank and others
    • Discussion
  • Small group exercise to explore methods for assessing change readiness, in particular the political economy
    • Presentations, sharing and discussion with the whole group
  • Wrap up: Whole group discussion

For this workshop the participants were given the ‘How to map and influence stakeholders to get started’, and ‘How to assess change readiness, including analysis of the political economy’ as resources to take away and read after the workshop.

Next section: Download the Learning Package