The Traineroo.com trainers have been facilitating Train-the-Trainer programs for many years now. Empowering (in-company) trainers to facilitate training sessions and workshops within their own organization. One of the most challenging parts of facilitating training sessions: actively managing the energy level to enhance learning and engagement. The use of music during a training, workshop or event – if chosen properly – contributes to creating the right atmosphere and will drive the learning experience and participant performance.
Managing Energy Levels
There are several strategies that trainers can use to manage energy levels during a training session. One effective approach is to incorporate a variety of activities and exercises into the training, by using group discussions, role-playing, gamified assignments and physical activities. This will help to break up the training and prevent participants from getting bored or restless. In addition, you can encourage participants to take regular breaks to stretch and get some fresh air. Furthermore, you can also use music and other forms of sensory stimulation, such as scents or lighting. Sensory stimulation can create a positive and energizing atmosphere. The key to managing energy levels during a training is to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that keeps participants engaged and motivated!
Why should you use music during your training session, workshop or event?
For one, music can help to create a positive and energizing atmosphere. Which will make your training or workshop more engaging and enjoyable for participants. In addition, music can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and it can serve as a form of background noise that can help to drown out any external distractions. Music has been shown to have a variety of physiological effects on the brain. It increases alertness, improves mood, and will enhance memory and cognitive functions. All of these factors can make music a valuable tool for trainers to use in order to create an optimal learning environment.
The Science of Music and Mood: How Music Affects the Brain and Influences Emotions
Music has been shown to have a variety of effects on mood. For example, listening to upbeat and positive music can improve mood and increase feelings of happiness and joy. On the other hand, listening to sad or melancholy music can increase feelings of sadness and emotional distress. In addition, music can also have a calming and relaxing effect, which can reduce stress and anxiety. Overall, the way that music affects mood can vary depending on the type of music, the listener’s personal preferences, and the context in which the music is being listened to. However, research has consistently shown that music has the ability to alter mood and emotional state in both positive and negative ways.
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE USE OF MUSIC IN TRAINING SESSIONS
Creating a playlist for every training, workshop or event can be very time consuming. That’s why we use three types of ‘master playlists’ which are continuously supplemented with new songs:
- Traineroo Energy Level 1 – Easy listening for morning sessions or background music during assignments
- Traineroo Energy Level 2 – Music to prevent after-lunch dips…
- Traineroo Energy Level 3 – High energy music for the afternoon or kicking off / closing events
For every client and/or project, we drag-and-drop the perfect playlist. The songs we choose are based on industry, company purpose and culture, the training topic and desired participant experience. Sometimes we also create fully customized playlists or integrate music in hype videos.
At Manhattn’s, their purpose is to bring the New York vibe to the world. Every training session we facilitate starts with the same song: Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys,.
For the annual Meta TTT event in San Francisco, a hype video with matching music is created by BKN Productions. The video was used during the opening of the event to energize the audience and creating a feeling of pride.
For our retail client Levi’s, we created a customized playlist based on the music used in their commercials. With songs like “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” from Marvin Gaye and “The Joker” from the Steve Miller Band.
7 TIPS FOR USING MUSIC IN YOUR TRAINING SESSIONS
- Choose the right music: Choose music that is appropriate for the training topic and audience, and that will create the desired atmosphere and mood
- Use music sparingly: Don’t overdo it with the music – a little can go a long way. Use music to enhance the training, rather than dominating it.
- Vary the music: Mix up the music to keep things interesting and avoid repetition. Consider using different genres, tempos, and moods.
- Involve participants: Invite participants to share their favorite music and incorporate it into the training. This can help to create a personal connection and foster a sense of community.
- Pay attention to volume: Keep the volume at a reasonable level that allows participants to hear the music without being overwhelmed or distracted.
- Use music as a reward: Consider using music as a reward or incentive for achieving goals or completing tasks during the training. This can help to motivate participants and keep them engaged.
- Evaluate the impact of the music: After the training, ask participants for feedback on the use of music and use this information to improve your approach in future sessions.
Disclaimer
Rules apply to playing music during training sessions and workshops. Spotify is for personal use only and not for commercial use. The playlists shown in this article are for inspiration and for personal use only. If you want to work with playlists during your training or workshop, have a look at the business opportunities of Soundtrack Your Brand. For €49.00 you can use your Spotify playlists and more completely legally.
