Transforming Workshops with "Training from the Back of the Room": A New Approach to Engaging Learning

Recently, a colleague and I conducted a two-day workshop on Test Driven Development (TDD) for Frontend React Engineers with one of our clients. The training was a success, with highly engaged participants and positive feedback. However, we noticed a drop in energy during one particular session, which led us to reflect on the format. This experience reinforced my belief in the effectiveness of Training from the Back of the Room (TBR), a method that fosters interactive, brain-friendly learning environments.

Understanding "Training from the Back of the Room"‍

‍What is TBR and Why Does It Work?

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TBR, developed by Sharon L. Bowman, is a neuroscience-based approach to adult learning that encourages trainers to step back and allow learners to actively engage with the material. This method creates immersive learning experiences, making it easier for information to stick.‍

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The 4 C’s: Creating a Cycle of Engagement

1. Connections: Activating prior knowledge and building a foundation for new learning.
2. Concepts: Introducing new content through interactive methods, avoiding lengthy lectures.
3. Concrete Practice: Hands-on activities that allow learners to apply what they’ve learned.
4. Conclusion: Reflection and discussion to reinforce learning.

The 6 Trumps: Key Principles for Effective Learning

1. Movement trumps sitting: Physical activity enhances cognitive function.
2. Talking trumps listening: Learners absorb more when they articulate ideas.
3. Images trump words: Visuals are more memorable than text-heavy content.
4. Writing trumps reading: Writing aids retention more than simply reading.
5. Shorter trumps longer: Shorter learning segments are more effective.
6. Different trumps same: Novelty keeps the brain engaged and attentive.

My Approach: Applying TBR in Workshop Design

Breaking Down the Learning Journey

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I begin the planning process using Miro to break down the subject into subtopics and structure the session around the 4 C's. For our React TDD workshop, we focused on five main subtopics:

1. What is TDD?
2. Arrange → Act → Assert
3. Refactoring
4. Testing React Components
5. Test Doubles

Building Engagement from the Start

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The first activity was designed to help participants introduce themselves, share their testing experience, and start thinking about what they hoped to gain from the training. By organizing participants into groups based on experience, we encouraged peer learning and collaboration right from the beginning.

Interactive Group Learning

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Instead of explaining TDD through lecture, we had participants work in groups to research different parts of the TDD cycle. This interactive approach kept the energy high and allowed learners to teach and learn from each other, solidifying their understanding through discussion.

Hands-On Learning Through Code Katas

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To bring the concepts to life, we used various Code Katas to practice TDD. We started with mob programming on FizzBuzz, followed by pair programming exercises. This ensured that participants were actively engaged throughout the process, discussing and applying strict TDD practices.

Conclusion: Reflect, Discuss, and Reinforce

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After the practical exercises, participants gathered in new groups to discuss their experiences and challenges with TDD. This reflective activity allowed for a final exchange of ideas and reinforced the key learning points from the session.

Conclusion: Transform Your Training with TBR

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Incorporating Training from the Back of the Room techniques has made my workshops far more engaging and effective. Whether in person or remote, learners are more energised, involved, and better able to retain new information. By shifting the focus from lecturing to active participation, the learning process becomes more dynamic and enjoyable for everyone.

I plan to continue refining my approach and exploring new techniques like Concept Maps to make sessions even more interactive. If you’re responsible for training adult learners, I strongly recommend giving TBR a try—it will transform the way your participants learn.

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