I am on Jennifer Louden's mailing list and as a result of a comment I made via her TeachNow programme, she asked me to write something about working with mixed groups...here is what I wrote and (have to say I feel very honoured and humbled when she said is going to use my suggestions from now on..) 

I invited TeachNow alum Anne Walsh, an experienced Microsoft Certified Trainer, to talk about teaching to mixed level classes. This was so helpful to me, I'll be using it at my retreats in Taos! Thanks Anne.

I've been training for over 15 years - mostly Microsoft Excel - and one of the perennial issues is that of mixed classes - people with different knowledge and experience levels and how to work with that in a group. Here are some strategies I have found useful. 

• There's always one: No matter how clearly you think you have repeated/written/said instructions there will be someone who didn't get it. Honestly, that can be annoying. (or is that just me?) So accept your own annoyance, let it pass through you. Don't forget you are human too!  use the experience to clarify your delivery. 
• Start with an assessment: Begin your session with a new group with an exercise that will allow you to assess their skill level. Beginners will struggle and advanced people will complete it easily. You then have an idea of where people are at. Depending on numbers it can be useful to quickly do a diagram that gives the person's name,experience level and position in the room. 
• Every topic - two levels. Beginners will be anxious about keeping up. Advanced people will be concerned about not learning anything new. You can address this by teaching your topic at two levels. First level - I call it "Topic 101". Explain this is for beginners, that they need to listen intently to this. Second level - do same topic for advanced users but with the bells and whistles. You could call it "beyond the basics". Reassure beginners that they do not need to get this topic at this level now. Suggest that they take notes on some of the terms. The beginners will probably try it anyway.  Some of them will get the advanced level - they will have a warm glow ☺. The ones that don't will not feel pressurised. The Advanced people will enjoy their new knowledge. Win-win. 
• Learn from both groups: Working with beginners is particularly effective for improving the clarity of your communication. Their feedback will highlight to you where you are not completely clear in what you are saying. On the other hand working with advanced groups is usually a great place to hone your technical skills. Their questions will identify gaps in your knowledge which will greatly enhance your future teaching. 

So while mixed groups can be challenging, they are also a great learning resource for your own teaching. 

Anne Walsh is an experienced MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) who has worked with individuals and many many companies delivering training. She has also worked as part of an award winning European project called UNEC. Her website is: www.the-excel-expert.com and she lives in Ireland.

Love,

Jen