All articles, slides, handouts, and other informational pieces listed here are in PDF format. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader from www.adobe.com in order to download and read this information. You have Sharon's permission to share these articles with others – please site the source. Scroll down this column for the free articles.
For the handouts and slides for specific 2012 - 2010 training programs, scroll down the right-hand column to find the specific program links (listed below the testimonials).

SHARON'S NEWEST
FREE MICRO-COURSES
Worksheet for How to Design Great Training: Begin with the End in Mind
Download this PDF-formatted page and use it when you participate in the micro-course by the same name above.
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Looking Beyond Lecture: An excellent article from the Washington Post about how U.S. colleges are rethinking their use of lecture as their primary instructional tool.
The Joy of Quiet. A New York Times article about gifting yourself with some technology breaks so that you can reconnect with family, friends, and your own spirit in 2012.
Happy New Year 2012. A lovely inspirational YouTube video to greet the New Year.
The Broken Place. An updated version of my Slide Share gift to you for the holidays and for 2012. Enjoy!
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YouTube Videos about Creativity and Education
Changing Education Paradigms by Ken Robinson
The Divided Brain by Iain Gilchrist
Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
Brain Rules (trailer) by John Medina
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The Six Trumps Workshop
In Sharon's newest book, Using Brain Science to Make Training Stick, there is a facilitator's guide for a 45-minute workshop introducing audiences to the six learning principles. The following links are for the materials that accompany the workshop:
The Six Trumps Workshop Slide Set
The Six Trumps Workshop Postcards
The Six Trumps Workshop Table Cards

From The Accidental Trainer's
Live Audio Interviews:
Using the Ordinary to Make
Your Training Extraordinary
The brain screens out the ordinary or boring. Listen to this free audio interview as Sharon shares affordable tips on how to make your training extraordinary by using everyday items like index cards and pipe cleaners. She also discusses how to make your training an EPIC learning experience: Emotional, Participatory, Image- rich, & Connected to learners' lives. Click HERE.
The Accidental Trainer is an online forum and community for all "accidental" trainers – from one-person training departments, to HR folks with training responsibilities, to managers who are the sole source of training and development for their employees. TAT's goal is for trainers to stop reinventing the wheel and start sharing resources! For more about The Accidental Trainer, and to browse its website of excellent resources, articles, and interviews, click HERE.

Articles and Book Excerpts
Take-a-Stand: Connecting Learners to Learners and Learners to the Topic
From: THe Ten-Minute Trainer!
Postcard Partners: Making a Connection
From: The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Brain Freeze! I Can't Think
Note: This is a thought-provoking article on the effects of information overload on the brain's decision-making abilities; from Newsweek Magazine, published March 7th 2011.
Changing Education Paradigms by RSAnimate
Note: This is an excellent YouTube presentation (in cartoon format) on the history of education in the U.S.A. and other countries; includes some surprising insights into changing the outdated paradigms of instruction.
Communicating Future Threats: The Hyperbolic Brain
Note: This is an intriguing article on why the brain pays more attention to short-term threats (eg. heart pain or severe weather) rather than long-term ones (eg. obesity or global warming).
Can You Build a Better Brain?
Note: This is the latest Newsweek Magazine article on the brain that contains some interesting observations about the three best things you can do to keep your brain fit for life.
Six Trumps: The Brain Science That Makes Training Stick
Note: This is an excerpt of Sharon's newest book, Using Brain Science to Make Training Stick. The article summarizes six brain science principles that are easy to remember and use in any instructional setting.
Reading the Tells
Author: Jerry Balistreri
About the Author: Jerry Balistreri is a professional educator, administrator, and trainer. His training on how to read body language leaves participants wanting more and creates a memorable learning experience. This is valuable information for anyone who wants to learn to communicte more effectively. More about Jerry and his "Reading the Tells" workshop can be found on his website at www.readingthetells.com.
Adventures in Accelerated Learning
Author: Roger Brown
About the Author: Roger Brown is a coach and trainer in the world of Agile Software Development, a team-based approach to creating innovative products. He has an interest in the application of neuroscience to learning, creativity, and collaboration. You can correspond with Roger on his professional blog at www.agilecoachjournal.com or his personal blog at www.infinitedigress.com.
The Science of Learning: Best Approaches for Your Brain
Author: Mark Levison
About the Author: Mark Levison is an Agile Software Development trainer who also specializes in applying cognitive neuroscience to classroom-based instruction and coaching software development teams. For more about Mark and the links to his articles, click here or you can access his personal blog here.
60-Second Interactive Review Strategies for the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge New Rider Course
Note: Although written for motorcycle safety instructors, the interactive strategies in this article can be used with other topics, as well.
Color Your Brain!
Note: This worksheet was part of the Concept Centers activity during Sharon's opening session at the Teaching for a Change 2009 Conference in Flagstaff AZ
Sharin' with Sharon
From: Training Treasures Magazine, 9/08
Note: This article was published in the September 2008 edition of Training Treasures Magazine.
Myth or Fact Brain Game
Note: This simple card-sorting game deals with the brain research that supports human learning.
Ten Tips for Interactive E-Learning
From: Training Treasures Magazine, 6/08
Note: This article was published in the June 2008 edition of Training Treasures Magazine.
Wake
'Em Up! 7 Tips for Interactive E-Learning.
From: Training from the BACK of the Room!
Bag
It! A Quick and Remarkably Easy Instructional Design Process.
From: Training from the BACK of the Room!
Powerpoint®
Unplugged - Part One: 7 Ways to Transform a Slide Show into a Learning
Tool.
Learners
Teaching Learners: A Powerful Way to Train.
From: Training from the BACK of the Room!

Stand,
Stretch and Speak: Using Topic-Related Energizers.
From:
Preventing Death by Lecture!
The
Gallery Walk: An Opening, Closing, and Review Activity.
From:
How To Give It So They Get It.
Note:A more detailed version is found in: The Ten-Minute Trainer.
When
Your Message Matters: Four Ways to Make It Stick.
Terrific
Tips for Crowd Control.
From:
Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Nifty
Notes: Involving Learners with Graphic Organizers.
I
See What You Say!
From:
Nevada Business Journal

Move About When In Doubt!
From: Las Vegas Health
Magazine
Refilling Your Own Pitcher.
From:
Going Lightly!
60-Second
Pop-Ups!
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
The Magic of Metaphor!
From:
Shake, Rattle, and Roll!
The
Walkabout: A Cool Way to Take a Summer Break.
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Rapid Learning Stations: Learning a Lot in a Little
Time.
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Get
a CLUE: Four Elements to Increase Motivation and Memory in Learning.
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Birds-of-a-Feather:
A Unique and High-Energy Way to Begin a Training Session.

Marking
the Middle: Involving Learners in the Middle of a Lecture.
Let
the Compass be Your Guide: Two Powerful Training Design and Delivery
Tools
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
60-Second
Shout Outs.
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Grab that Spoon!
From:
The Ten-Minute Trainer!
Working
Together and Making It Work: Basic Human Needs and the Strategic Planning
Process.
Authors: Sharon
Bowman and Laura Moriarty www.tahoetrainingpartners.com
Drawing a Blank!
From:
Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Make
Your Next Training an EPIC Experience!

You
Said It But Did They Get It? How To Check For Understanding.
Taking
Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Business.
Teach
It Quick and Make It Stick! Ten Tips from Sharon Bowman’s Train-the-Trainer
Workshop.
Nine
Interactive Things To Do With A Workbook Or Handout.
From:
Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Eight
Characteristics of Accelerated Learning.
Seven
Tips for Turning Listeners into Learners.
From:
Preventing Death by Lecture!
Eight
Training Reminders from Sharon Bowman’s
Train-the-Trainer Workshop

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Teaching for a Change 2009 Conference Handout, Slides, and Postcards from "Teaching from the BACK of the Room!"
Note: These are the session "souvenirs" from Sharon's opening session titled "Teaching from the BACK of the Room!"
ASTD ICE 2009 Handout and Slides for "Right from the Start! What Beginning Trainers Need to Know."
Note: This is the handout for Sharon's breakout session at ASTD's 2009 International Conference and Expo, held June in Washington D.C. The handout includes the "Blackout Bingo" answers as well as the slides used during the session.
Right from the Start! What Beginning Trainers Need to Know.
Note: This is the Training 2009 Conference and Expo handout and slides for the breakout session by the same name. The handout includes the Blackout Bingo answers.
Training from the BACK of the Room! 12 Ways to Step Aside and Let Them Learn.
Note: This is a Training 2009 Conference and Expo session (handout and slides) with activities taken from Sharon's newest book Training from the BACK of the Room.
Using the Ordinary to Make Your Training Extraordinary.
Note: These are the handouts and slides for the Training 2009 Conference and Expo session by the same name.
NSA-Carolinas Handout for: "Write It Now! 10 Tips to Self-Publish Your First (or Next) Book."
Note: This is the handout that accompanied the rountable session by the same name - facilitated by Sharon at the NSA-Carolinas Speakers School, November 2008, in Charlotte, NC. Look for the complete article during the summer of 2009.
Slides from the 2008 POST Law Enforcement Instructor Symposium,
Note: These slides are from Sharon's keynote address at the 2008 Peace Officers Standards of Training (POST) 2008 Conference held June 2008 in San Diego, CA.
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For two more free, ten-minute micro-courses, click on the links below. Learn how to make any online training program, self-study, or computer-based program more interactive.