In the last few newsletters I’ve addressed how to slim down and optimize your content to maximize process and meaningful connection with adolescents. Now I’d like to put these key elements into a workable structure for you. In the next five newsletters I’ll explore in more depth the five phases I believe are crucial to the effectiveness and efficiency of your presentations: Introduction, Process, Synthesis, Motor, and Transition.

1. Introduction

The first phase is introduction. Your goal here is to have each teen “in the boat.” Simply put, you want to enter the next phase–process–with every teen operating at maximum engagement. We must answer the following key questions during this phase:

> What are we talking about?

> What’s expected of the teens?

> What are the ground rules?

> Why are we talking about this?

> How does this topic relate to the previous topics?

A good introduction will channel adolescents into the second and most important step–process.

2. Process

Process is to learning what digestion is to eating. It’s healthier to present adolescents with a light healthy snack of content–then allow time and freedom to interact with and take ownership of it. Only then will the content be relevant and actionable.

3. Synthesis

The third phase, synthesis, offers adolescents opportunity to make meaning of the process. The presenter or educator can facilitate synthesis by bundling together comments into likenesses, then reframing the main message after integrating the input from participants. This is a far cry from traditional approaches wherein we state our message in our terms, irrespective of the input adolescents give.

4. Motor

In the motor phase we address the all-important, oft-overlooked question: So what? How are the conclusions reached during synthesis supposed to influence teens’ decisions in the next twenty-four hours, seven days, six months? Help adolescents identify specific actions they will take based on their conclusions.

5. Transition

The fifth and final stage is the transition. Think of this as the pre-introduction to your next topic. Provide a sweeping summary of the conversation, highlighting the main points you and the teens identified. With this summary in place, you are ready to introduce the next topic.

I’m looking forward to discussing how to apply these five steps to boost the engagement and process in your work.

It’s great to be working with you to promote positive change in the lives of young people.

Best,

Andrew

Tags: adolescent health, adolescents, connecting with youth, education, effective learning, effective programs, positive change, process, student engagement