Summary

Today's trainer faces an almost endless series of difficult choices. What is the best sequence of topics? Would an exercise be more effective than a lecture? What is the appropriate teaching style for this particular group? Is there any systematic way of deciding questions like these? Yes, says the author, who suggests that both subject matter and teaching approach can be classified along a hard/soft spectrum. Hard teaching is concerned with facts, techniques and methods that typically involve correct answers, rigorous proof of mastery of a skill. Soft teaching covers ideas, concepts and attitudes where argument and opinion prevail.