One of the most common problems I see people having on our Train the Trainer courses are still very focused on PowerPoint as their primary visual aid.  As we have written many times before, PowerPoint is an aid to you for learning to happen, but so is a Flip Chart, so why then do so few people use it? - it is fantastic and here’s why.

I remember not that long ago a lady on her PTT Train the Trainer said her organisation had stopped ordering Flip Charts as they were looked upon as “Old and dated”. I was stunned, however, straight after her PTT Train the Trainer one of the first things she did was order them in!  I sometimes find that people leave things they struggle with (writing and position), don’t understand or when they don’t see the advantages of something, it doesn’t get used.  Flip Chart is no different, so the net result is……  More PowerPoint!!!

Let’s have more Flip because:

It's dynamic – You have a blank canvas that you can use, therefore it doesn’t matter what order things go up on it unlike PowerPoint which is rigid; It allows you to use the “Chalk and Talk” method.  You can put on a flip chart, both diagrams and write to aid learning.

Its “Blue Peter” proof – If like me you are of an age where you remember the phrase, “Here’s one I made earlier” then you’ll know what I mean.  Flip allows you pre-preparation just like PowerPoint, but then you can also add to it as you carry on your session, so you get the best of both worlds.

It’s Interactive and Engaging – You can get your delegates up writing, or you can split into teams and get them adding to their flip charts.  Furthermore, you can then get them to present their findings to others; a brilliant way of activity building and productive engagement.

It can be used later – Visual learners especially like to see the flip charts form and then be kept on the wall.  When you do this, you are visually reinforcing what’s been covered and therefore adding to the repetition for learning.  Also, when people build a flip, they love it when you show the value by keeping and displaying it.  You’ll also see lots taking photos of flip charts as they find this of value to their learning as they may recall the session from the formation of the flip as well as the information.

Flip charts may challenge you a little more due to handwriting, positioning, and the time it takes when you do it dynamically, but like everything, practise will make you better. Excuses like I hear such as “I don’t like Flip” don’t wash with me; remember, it’s an aid to help your delegates learn!  So, with all these advantages, why wouldn’t use it?  It is, after all, Flippin Fantastic!

Scott Fraser is a Master Trainer at Target Training and delivers our PTT Train the Trainer courses and our Advanced PTT Train the Trainer courses.  You can read more about him here.