ASTD South Africa conducts it’s 7th Annual International Conference in Cape Town 23-25th March 2011. The opening speaker, Dr. Spencer Kagan from the USA, will speak on The Instructional Revolution. Dr. Spencer Kagan

A science of instruction is emerging. With the exact same content, depending on the instructional strategies we use, we can obtain accelerated achievement, enhanced equity and greater liking for instructor and content. And it is easy. With simple instructional strategies used as part of any presentation we can create a host of positive outcomes. In this Workshop, we learn how presenters worldwide are dramatically improving their trainings, not by changing what they teach, but by changing how they teach. Because the Kagan Structures for Engagement are content-free, you can use them to spice up every presentation while enhancing content retention. After experiencing the power of each Kagan Structure for Engagement, you will work with your colleagues to generate applications specific to your trainings. As part of the workshop you receive an extensive note-taking handout with step-by-step “can't fail” instructions so you can easily implement these research-proven strategies.

Objectives:

•  Experience a range of Kagan Structures for Engagement 
• Understand the theoretical and research base for the structural approach 
• Differentiate two types of training outcomes: Excellence and Equity 
• Distinguish group work from Cooperative Learning and learn why group work fails to enhance excellence and equity 
• View research demonstrating positive impact of structures on both Excellence and Equity 
• Generate applications for trainings 
• Teambuilding with colleagues bExperience a range of Silly Sports and Goofy Game Energizers 
• Overview ways the structures are used in meetings, workshops, and trainings 
• Practice several structures, reducing the transference gap 
• Inspire motivation to restructure trainings 
• Overview brain research supporting the use of Kagan Structures for Engagement 
• Experience the power of electronic tools that can be incorporated in any training to increase efficiency and engagement

Content:

• Distinguish Group work from Cooperative Learning
• Learn how group work fails to enhance Excellence and Equity
• Derive Rationale for Structural Approach via Thought experiment
• Experience a large range of Kagan Structures for engagement
• Experience a range of Silly Sport and Goofy Game Energizers
• View Excellence and Equity research supporting Kagan Structures

Introducing . . .

Dr. Spencer Kagan is an internationally acclaimed researcher, presenter and author of over 100 books, chapters, and scientific journal articles. He is a former clinical psychologist and full professor of psychology and education at the University of California. He is the principal author of the single most comprehensive book for educators in each of four fields: cooperative learning, multiple intelligences, classroom discipline, and classroom energizers. His instructional strategies are used in teacher training institutes in many countries.

Dr. Kagan provides workshops and keynotes in over twenty countries and his books are translated into many languages. Dr. Kagan developed the concept of structures; his popular brain-based, cooperative learning and multiple intelligences structures like Numbered Heads Together and Timed Pair Share are used in classrooms world-wide. Dr. Kagan has been featured in the leading educational magazines including Educational Leadership, Instructor, Learning Magazine, and Video Journal. He is in high demand as a keynote speaker at national and international conferences. He will also be conducting two additional workshops.

For the full conference programme see www.astd.co.za or contact Robin Probart on probartr@worldonline.co.za.