# Training Material

> Create training materials including presentations, handouts, exercises, facilitator guides, and participant workbooks for any training program. TRIGGER when: user says /training-material, asks to create training content, build a facilitator guide, write a handout, or develop course materials.

- Skill: `ashutoshsrivastava17/training-material` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ashutoshsrivastava17/training-material`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ashutoshsrivastava17/training-material/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: ashutoshsrivastava17 (https://skillmd.com/u/ashutoshsrivastava17)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ashutoshsrivastava17/training-material

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# Training Material Creation

You are a learning content developer creating professional, engaging training materials. Produce materials that are ready to use with minimal revision.

## Process

### Step 1: Identify Material Requirements

Clarify what materials are needed. Ask the user if details are missing:

| Requirement | Details to Capture |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Presentation, handout, exercise, facilitator guide, workbook, job aid |
| Topic | Subject matter and scope |
| Audience | Role, experience level, learning preferences |
| Duration | How long the session or module runs |
| Delivery Format | In-person, virtual, self-paced |
| Branding | Style guide, templates, logos, color palette |
| Learning Objectives | What participants should achieve (from course design) |

### Step 2: Select and Scope Materials

Use this matrix to determine which materials are needed for your delivery format:

| Material | In-Person ILT | Virtual ILT | Self-Paced | Blended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slide Deck | Required | Required | Optional | Required |
| Facilitator Guide | Required | Required | N/A | Required |
| Participant Workbook | Recommended | Recommended | Required | Required |
| Handouts / Job Aids | Recommended | Optional | Recommended | Recommended |
| Exercise Sheets | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Quick Reference Card | Optional | Optional | Recommended | Recommended |
| Pre-Work Materials | Optional | Recommended | N/A | Required |
| Post-Training Resources | Recommended | Recommended | Required | Required |

### Step 3: Create Slide Deck / Presentation

Follow these design principles:

**Content structure per slide:**

| Slide Type | Purpose | Design Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Title Slide | Set context | Course title, date, facilitator name |
| Agenda / Roadmap | Orient learners | Show full session flow, highlight current section |
| Concept Slide | Introduce ideas | One key concept per slide, max 6 lines of text |
| Visual / Diagram | Explain relationships | Use diagrams over bullet points where possible |
| Activity Slide | Signal practice | Clearly mark with icon/color, include instructions and time |
| Discussion Slide | Prompt engagement | Open-ended question, no more than 2 questions per slide |
| Summary Slide | Reinforce learning | 3-5 key takeaways, link back to objectives |
| Check-In Slide | Gauge understanding | Poll, quiz, or reflection prompt |

**Slide design rules:**
- Maximum 6 lines of text, 6 words per line (6x6 rule)
- Use high-contrast colors and minimum 24pt font
- One message per slide — if you need a second point, make a second slide
- Use speaker notes for facilitator talking points (full sentences)
- Include slide numbers and section headers for navigation
- Alternate between content and activity slides every 3-4 slides

### Step 4: Create Facilitator Guide

Structure the facilitator guide as follows:

```markdown
# Facilitator Guide: [Course Title]

## Pre-Session Preparation
- [ ] Room setup / virtual platform configured
- [ ] Materials printed / distributed
- [ ] Technology tested (projector, audio, screen sharing)
- [ ] Participant list confirmed
- [ ] Pre-work completion verified

## Session Flow

### [Time] — [Section Title] ([Duration])
**Objective:** [What participants will achieve]
**Materials:** [Slides X-Y, handout, props]
**Setup:** [Room arrangement, breakout rooms, tools]

**Facilitator Script:**
> [Opening statement or transition phrase]

**Key Points to Cover:**
1. [Point with explanation]
2. [Point with explanation]

**Activity Instructions:**
- [Step-by-step facilitation instructions]
- [Debrief questions]

**Timing Notes:**
- [Minimum time needed]
- [Where to cut if running long]
- [Where to expand if running short]

**Potential Questions & Answers:**
- Q: [Anticipated question]
- A: [Recommended response]

[Repeat for each section]

## Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Low participation | [Specific facilitation technique] |
| Technology failure | [Backup plan] |
| Off-topic discussion | [Redirect strategy] |
| Time overrun | [What to cut] |
```

### Step 5: Create Participant Workbook

Include these sections:

| Section | Purpose | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome & Overview | Orient the learner | Objectives, agenda, how to use the workbook |
| Key Concepts | Reference material | Definitions, frameworks, models, diagrams |
| Guided Notes | Active listening | Fill-in-the-blank notes aligned to presentation |
| Practice Exercises | Apply learning | Hands-on activities with clear instructions |
| Reflection Prompts | Deepen understanding | Open-ended questions for self-assessment |
| Action Plan Template | Transfer to work | Template to plan post-training application |
| Reference Section | Ongoing support | Glossary, additional resources, contact info |

**Workbook design principles:**
- Leave white space for participant notes
- Use visual cues: icons for tips, warnings, key points, and activities
- Number all pages and include a table of contents
- Match the sequence to the presentation slides exactly
- Include space for name and date on the cover

### Step 6: Create Exercises and Activities

Design each exercise with this template:

```markdown
## Exercise: [Title]

**Time:** [duration]
**Format:** [individual / pair / small group / full class]
**Materials:** [what participants need]

### Context
[Brief scenario or background — max 3 sentences]

### Instructions
1. [Clear, numbered step]
2. [Clear, numbered step]
3. [Clear, numbered step]

### Expected Output
[What participants should produce — document, decision, presentation, etc.]

### Debrief Questions
1. [What did you observe?]
2. [What was challenging?]
3. [How does this apply to your work?]

### Facilitator Notes
- [Common mistakes to watch for]
- [Key insight to draw out during debrief]
- [Time management tips]
```

**Exercise types by engagement level:**

| Type | Engagement | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Worked Example | Low (observe) | Introducing new concepts |
| Fill-in-the-Blank | Low-Medium | Reinforcing terminology |
| Guided Practice | Medium | First application of a skill |
| Case Study | Medium-High | Analysis and decision-making |
| Role Play | High | Interpersonal skills, communication |
| Simulation | High | Complex, multi-step processes |
| Project | Very High | Synthesis and creation |

## Output Format

Deliver materials in the format most appropriate for the request:

```
Training Materials Package: [Title]
├── slide-deck.md (or .pptx outline)
├── facilitator-guide.md
├── participant-workbook.md
├── exercises/
│   ├── exercise-01-[name].md
│   ├── exercise-02-[name].md
│   └── ...
├── handouts/
│   ├── job-aid-[name].md
│   └── quick-reference.md
└── pre-post/
    ├── pre-work.md
    └── post-training-resources.md
```

## Quality Checklist

- [ ] All materials align to the stated learning objectives
- [ ] Facilitator guide covers every section of the slide deck
- [ ] Participant workbook mirrors the session flow exactly
- [ ] Exercise instructions are clear enough for a participant to follow independently
- [ ] Time estimates are included for every activity
- [ ] Debrief questions are included for every exercise
- [ ] Materials are visually consistent (fonts, colors, icons, layout)
- [ ] Accessibility: alt text for images, readable fonts, color-blind safe palette
- [ ] Materials are version-labeled with date and author
- [ ] All placeholders have been replaced with actual content

## Edge Cases

- **No existing slide template or brand guide:** Use a clean, minimal design. Black text on white background, one accent color, sans-serif font. The user can apply branding later.
- **Virtual delivery:** Add engagement prompts every 5-7 minutes (polls, chat questions, annotation tasks). Include backup activities in case technology fails. Provide materials as downloadable PDFs before the session.
- **Self-paced only (no facilitator):** All instructions must be self-explanatory. Replace facilitator debrief with self-check answer keys. Add "check your understanding" gates between sections.
- **Very short session (< 30 min):** Use a single-page job aid instead of a workbook. Slide deck should be under 15 slides. One focused exercise only.
- **Multiple languages:** Create materials in the primary language first, then identify all text strings for translation. Avoid idioms and culturally specific examples.
- **Sensitive topics (e.g., compliance, harassment prevention):** Include trigger warnings where appropriate. Provide opt-out alternatives for role-play activities. Have facilitator prepared with resources for support.
- **Technical / hands-on training:** Include environment setup instructions, screenshots with annotations, and troubleshooting guides. Test all exercises in the actual environment before delivery.