Even today, a trainer’s ‘weapon’: the flip chart
Why visualisation with a pen and (flip-chart) paper is more effective than digital alternatives.
Let’s be honest: the flip chart is far from obsolete. Anyone who believes digital media can completely replace the good old hands-on training modules is mistaken. And not all flip charts are created equal. Why? We’ll explain it here and now.
Flip charts are not all the same: tried and tested versus modern
Who doesn’t know this: you want to quickly visualise something during a training session or course, so you reach for a pen. Now quickly sketch something and impress the audience with your typical trainer’s flair. Whether you draw a simple caricature, a route, or bullet points and figures, the flip chart is primarily used to visualise topics and guidelines quickly, simply and easily. There are fundamental differences between the models.
The classic: the flip chart on wheels, with or without side arms
As a trainer and coach, you want to keep your materials Team-building activities
and training courses together. You can spread your work and facilitation sheets across it with ease. Basic models do not have side arms. This type of facilitation is ideal for smaller company meetings. If the meeting or training is more complex, higher-quality flip-chart models with side arms provide three visual platforms at once, so there is no need to stick things on the walls.
Modern option: static flip charts
One of the latest non-digital visualisation techniques is undoubtedly static film sheets. These bear little visual or technical resemblance to a conventional flip chart. This method is very effective for running training sessions and seminars in rooms that do not have trainer equipment such as flip charts or pinboards. The seminar leader has special sheets that are statically charged and can easily be attached to almost any wall. No glue or other fastenings are needed. Special pens for static flip-chart sheets can be used to conveniently visualise interesting content in any way.
Tried and tested versus modern: which flip chart comes out on top?
In terms of practicality, the modern form of visualisation is virtually unbeatable. Static sheets adhere easily to almost any wall and can also be turned over if needed or cleaned with a special sponge. The sheets can be used for as long as they remain attached to the walls. A very modern, informal and innovative form of training and seminars. The downside is that they simply will not stick to some walls, especially very smooth surfaces, and there is no alternative in that situation. Nevertheless, this option clearly comes out ahead of the classic.
The editorial team’s conclusion
Ideal use for the flip chart: team-building and seminars
Wherever important topics, structures, tasks and objectives need to be visualised, the flip chart remains the method of choice even today. It cannot ‘crash’ like a server, it does not switch off like a TV set during a power cut, and it also performs well in Team-building training
and seminars. You can use it straight away and do not have to wait for it to boot up. And the most important point: participants pay more attention in seminars when the trainer works at the flip chart than when other media are used. That is why the flip chart—whatever the preferred version—is part of every good training course, Team-building
or seminar.
