Types of Training Equipment

There are many types of training equipment available on the market today that can help the audience visualize and understand the material being presented. Some of this equipment is cheap while others can be a little more expensive. However, if people retain the information you present them then the money is well spent. The following items make up the standard equipment of most training & development departments:

Easel and White Board: The most common type of equipment most training rooms carry is the Easel or the White Board. An Easel is a stand with large paper on it that can be used to write information down for the audience. A White Board is a white board in which the instructor uses erasable ink to write down items. A training department doesn't necessarily need both but one or the other is a necessity.

Overhead Projector: An overhead projector shows the contents of a clear paper presentation. As you finish each slide you take it off and put on the next one. With the use of PowerPoint it becomes easy to produce these slides with little hardship or difficulty. The overhead is easy to use and simple.

Laser Pointer: Most training departments have at least one laser pointer. This pointer will help the facilitator highlight areas on the wall from nearly any location in the room. It can be a convenient tool for allowing the facilitator to walk the around the room, maintain interaction, and keep everyone interested.

Microphone and Amplifier: The cost and range of this equipment can be as little as a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Most training departments can get along without having this equipment. However, as the size of the class becomes larger it will be more difficult to speak in front of such a large group.

Projector and PowerPoint Presentation: Using the office computer and with a little practice you can develop a very strong PowerPoint presentation that uses video, music, slides, sounds, graphics and much more. Because of its ease the PowerPoint has become standard at most Universities and training department. Once the PowerPoint has been generated your laptop can be connected to a projector so everyone may see.

How elaborate your training set up is depends on your personal preferences and budget. Most of the items discussed above are not that expensive and would cost an average company around $5,000 to purchase if a little costing took place. The value gained from a having a strong department with the proper tools will easily be gained back in a few sessions if the participants learn anything useful.