Choose the Right Activity with the RELATE™ Framework

Sheila B. Robinson devised the RELATE™ Framework to help facilitators think more deeply and strategically about participants' experience in training. She wants to be sure that every activity has purpose and is placed at just the right moment for optimal learning and engagement. She shared her framework during a Trainers Warehouse Show & Share event. During the session, as Ms. Robinson shared the model, participants shared some of their favorite tools and reflections, which I've tried to capture here.

Match the Activity with your Purpose

Each of the initials in the RELATE™ Framework, matches with an important workshop purpose

R. Retaining - for reinforcement and memory, introduce activities that allow participants to practice retrieving information

E. Energizing - choose an energizer when you need to replenish the group's waning energy

L. Learning - content-based activities rest at the core of the learning process

A. Applying - allow participants to engage in activities that let them apply what they've learned.

T, Team Building - when team development is paramount, either to build community or enable higher-functioning teams, select a team-building exercise.

E. Enlivening - use openers, icebreakers, or ice-melters to create an environment conducive to learning.

The RELATE Framework mnemonic is easy to recall and helps us focus on our purpose --on why an activity is included at any given spot on a workshop or course agenda. 

I can also imagine overlaying the RELATE Framework with Sharon Bowman's 6 Brain-Science Principles: 

1. Movement tops sitting
2. Images tops works
3. Talking tops listening 
4. Writing tops reading
5. Shorter tops longer
6. Different tops same

The point is, during every stage of the learning process, we should employ purposeful exercises. 

Pair the Process and Purpose

After identifying the reason for your activity, the trick is to pair that with a process. It could entail any combination of these: Think, Write, Draw, Walk, Talk, Sort, Create, etc. Sheila shared a grid for session planning, and participants shared some of their favorite resources, as well.

Enliven

• Ask a "Magical Question," which is one that everyone is equally excited about sharing their answer and hearing everyone else's (drawn from Priya Parker's work)
• Have participants write on notecards things they have in common with their table group. They fold the notecards and try to make the tallest tower. 
  
• 3 things: Write on an index card three things: 1) something you think you share with many in the room; 2) something you share with just a handful of folks in the room; 3) something that might be unique to just you. Pick a few cards and do a stand-up/sit-down activity. Throughout the session, when you need a pick-me-up, do a few more. Find more energizers here.

Learn

• Worksheets are great!!!
• Explore Angela Agresto's Brain Building Blueprints for more tools! Agresto uses the 4Cs construct (Connection; Concepts; Concrete Practice; Conclusion), but the spirit of her work is similar.

Retain

• Try Post-it notes identifying behaviors you want to Stop,  Start, Continue, or Change
• Explore favorites such as: Dry-erase Answer Board quizzes, Koosh ball tosses, and Jeopardy-style Games
  
• More Debrief and Review Tools

Bonus Resources

In addition to this amazing framework, we learned of a few other resources!

• PowerPoint Effects - explore the "Morph Transition" in PowerPoint's Animations and Transitions
• Echo Rivera is another wonderful resource for PowerPoint tips
• Rick Altman is also worth following for presentation tips!

Request the full guide from Sheila B. Robinson:  https://www.sheilabrobinson.com/relateframeworkguide/