Things Trainers can learn from Dora the Explorer

When my children were young, Dora the Explorer was one of their favourite shows on TV. I enjoyed sitting with them on every adventure and picking up some Spanish along the way. Even though my kids are long past their “Dora Stage”, the Nick Jr series, which finished its run in 2014 after 14 years (twice the age of the plucky protagonist herself), still holds a special place in my heart. What’s not to like – in the space of 22 minutes, we have an adventure, enhance our problem solving skills and learn a new language. Excelente! Whilst the subject of this article is tongue in cheek, when examined closer, Dora the Explorer provides a surprising number of life lessons that will also help a trainer to set themselves up for success. Following are some of the best:

Structure

Dora reminds us that we should always start with the end in mind. Dora always has a goal, a place to go, someone to see and a task to perform. Whether it is a journey through the forest, over the rocky hill and through the rusty gate or some other destination, Dora always makes sure she knows where she is going and has a plan for how to get there. As trainers, we also need this kind of structure to keep us on track towards our training goals.

A map for the journey

Where would Dora be without her trusty map? It gives her the direction she needs and the confidence that she is on the right path. For trainers, their map is a session plan and just like Dora, if they get lost along the way, they can check back with the plan to help them to get back on track. It will also provide details of what’s up ahead so they can pace their journey appropriately.

Preparation

Dora never went anywhere without her backpack. The backpack had all the resources she was going to need to successfully navigate her next adventure. There are two important lessons here for trainers. Firstly, success is ultimately built upon the quality of the preparation and secondly, we have to ensure that we are using the right tools for the right jobs. Too often trainers try to carve out a one-size-fits-all approach, without considering all the relevant variables.

Be helpful

In her adventures, Dora often meets and helps individuals who are in need of rescuing. Little does she know at the time that the new friend she has just made will in turn help her later in the journey. As trainers we can’t be isolationist either. Always seek to help those who need your help. Whether they be a colleague or a student, be generous with your time and share the benefits of your insight. In really simple terms, helping others makes us feel good and this will lead to a greater satisfaction in the job. You never know when you will be the one in need of assistance, so banking some goodwill ahead of time, is always a good idea!

You don’t have to do everything yourself

Dora is never alone on her journey. Whether it’s her trusted best friend Boots, or the colourful cast of family and friends that surround her, Dora always has support. Now some trainers feel like they are not supported by their institution or the people directly around them and this disconnection can be destructive. In the absence of something formal, it is critical to develop your own community of support. This may include family, friends and trusted colleagues. It could also involve trainers from other organisations, who can help you to develop a broader view of the subject matter you teach, a mentor to dig deeper into the challenges of the job and how you can overcome them, and even a personal learning network on a platform such as Twitter, where you can share ideas and be part of the wider dialogue. The bottom line is you don’t have to do it all yourself. Focus on what you do best and get help for the rest!

Communication

Dora understands the importance of a two-way conversation and would often involve viewers in her adventures. In the show, Dora pauses for answers expectantly while kids in front of the television would jump up and scream out the answers. The golden nugget here for trainers is we shouldn’t just give the answers. Moreover, learners have to be actively involved in the process of making the learning meaningful. Ultimately, we want partners in the learning process, not parrots.

Ask for Ideal Behaviour

Those familiar with the show, will be all too aware of Dora’s light-fingered arch-enemy, Swiper the Fox. Rather than ignoring his inappropriate and often anti-social behaviour, or explaining it away as “that’s just Swiper being Swiper”, Dora’s winning strategy is to call him out. By chiming in with “Swiper no swiping” in every episode, she draws a line in the sand about what is acceptable and in doing so identifies the conduct that is required. We would do well to do the same in our own environments. Our classes have plenty of “swipers” who try to steal attention and derail the learning. However, much of their influence can be reduced if at the beginning of the training, the trainer was able to develop a shared vision of expected behaviour. This doesn’t need to be done in a heavy handed way. It could be achieved through “seeking permission” statements which generate buy in from the group. For example “would it be okay if we kept our phones on silent during the class, to minimise disruption?”. It can also be done in more subtle ways. For instance, the trainer could create posters with positive statements that reinforce ideal behaviour, such as “thank you for being on time and participating enthusiastically”. Investing time early in setting norms and ground rules, which everyone can sign off on, will make for a more pleasant journey for all.

So with these handy tips from Dora the Explorer, you are well placed and ready to take on another training adventure. And like Dora, despite the challenges you might encounter along the way, make sure you face each obstacle with a smile and positive attitude. Because when you finally get to that destination and savour that sweet, sweet victory, you know you can stand tall, do a little dance and shout out with joy, “we did it”! Vámonos!

Marc Ratcliffe

Marc is a multi-award-winning trainer, author and education entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of MRWED Training and Assessment, a private RTO that specialises in Trainer Training. He is a strong advocate for "edu-tainment" and believes that learner involvement and fun are integral to student success. He continues to be an in-demand conference speaker and workshop facilitator, having presented at more than 50 conferences in a dozen countries in the past decade. He has also delivered more than 100 PD webinars for trainers and assessors. To learn more visit: www.mrwed.edu.au/webinars

To contact Marc email: mratcliffe@mrwed.edu.au