Large Group Session

To maximize retention for large groups, it is ideal to schedule a talk, take a break for an hour, then reconvene for another 90 minutes to practice the principles of the training on representative exemplars provided by the session organizer (e.g. a recent presentation that everyone is likely to recognize) to discuss how the group’s own work could be enhanced. The break allows everyone to reset, and the immediate practice on a recognizable, relevant example allows participants to take the abstract guidance and immediately see the direct application, reinforcing the core principles.

NOTE: It is theoretically possible to do all-day seminars or several trainings in one day, but there is a reason why university lectures are capped at 90 minutes. Once working memory gets overwhelmed, retention of new information drops significantly. The brain needs time to process. Scheduling regular trainings at intervals (e.g. a different training every Friday for several weeks) is far more effective than cramming highly compressed trainings into shorter periods (e.g. 3-4 trainings per day over a few days).