--- title: AAI Delivery Skills Standards - Resources tags: Resources, Talk description: Resources to support the Architecting on AWS course --- # AAI Delivery Skills Standards - Resources ![](https://i.imgur.com/KPL21LH.jpg) Instructor: Scott Jones Email: scojoe@amazon.com ### :pushpin: Bookmark these links: :::warning - [x] **Path to this page:** https://bit.ly/scojoe-on-aai - [x] **AAI Delivery Skills Standards eBook:** https://aws.vitalsource.com/reader/books/AAIDSS022023 - [x] **Evaluate us & me:** https://aws.training/Account/Transcript/Archived ::: --- # :books: AAI Delivery Skills Standards The AAI Delivery Skills Standards are organized into three classes: Formative, Functional, and Developmental. Formative delivery skills consist of the framework upon which all other delivery skills rely. Functional delivery skills are the skills employed as needed throughout an ongoing delivery. Finally, developmental delivery skills allow space in the delivery process to assess for continuous improvement of the individual instructor delivery and AAI community deliveries as a whole. --- ## Formative - Connect to each class/cohort 1. [**Enhance learning through established scientific learning principles.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1661/aai-delivery-skills-standard-1-enhance-learning-through-established-scientific-learning-principles?hash=13b07ea75afbe4c36620cb6635ba7e4b6245e367&generated_by=751005) Instructors are responsible for creating an environment where the learner has the best possible chance to retain and apply the course objectives after the initial learning event is complete. This environment is formed in part due to a proficiency in learning science techniques, which include: reduction of cognitive load, creation of active learning opportunities, incorporation of retrieval/spacing/elaboration, and curation of deliveries to various learning preferences. The techniques are applied when preparing for each course to determine the best ways to maximize learner comprehension and retention. However, these principles inform the majority of functional standards as well. 2. [**Create a personalized learner environment.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1663/aai-delivery-skills-standard-2-create-a-personalized-learner-environment?hash=0b81803b97f110fa32bb58647e1f840703c85559&generated_by=751005) Before instructors even step into a classroom, they need to generally understand their audience. Instructors can often find this information through a cursory web search of the company, or by requesting a summary of customer goals from the customer contact or account team. Instructors can also establish mechanisms during the delivery to better understand learner needs. An example of a personalization mechanism is baseline polling the audience at the class start to assess customer goals, student skill level, and industries present. This background knowledge can be applied to prepare relevant analogies and use cases for your customer’s industry and overall needs. Once the audience ambiguity is removed, it’s clearer how to approach the class and what should be emphasized during the delivery. --- ## Functional – Invest in high-quality interactions 3. [**Instruct with clarity and confidence.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1664/aai-delivery-skills-standard-3-instruct-with-clarity-and-confidence?hash=9076d182078eebcadc3d4d50533ecde176b3ab4f&generated_by=751005) If someone is speaking too quietly, using excessive filler words, or jumping around from topic to topic, would an individual have an easy time understanding? This would certainly be frustrating. This is especially true in the class setting, where the main goal is learner comprehension and retention. Instructors should use voice modulation effectively to highlight important words or phrases, and limit distracting speech. They create seamless transitions between topics or modalities, and are aware of tone, gestures, and expressions. They teach in a way that weaves together topics like a story to help learners create neural connections. 4. [**Pivot to the audience.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1665/aai-delivery-skills-standard-4-pivot-to-the-audience?hash=734613f141248d5a68b7d8c2b386e93429cc4a79&generated_by=751005) Even with thorough preparation, unexpected situations can arise during deliveries. Instructors should be experts at improvisation and knowing when to adjust to their audience and how to think and act quickly to resolve challenges and unexpected situations that may arise. Instructors hone their improvisation skills through a mixture of preparation and experience. They take time to prepare for possible questions they may be asked and leverage mechanisms before and during a delivery to ensure they understand their learners’ needs. In doing so, instructors are better equipped to react quickly and effectively to situations and questions that arise in the classroom. 5. [**Engage the audience.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1666/aai-delivery-skills-standard-5-engage-the-audience?hash=3fc1b5a26468321445ef72ddb5bcb34803b624df&generated_by=751005) Effective facilitators build an arsenal of skills to gain and keep learners engaged for the duration of a delivery. Demos and whiteboards, as well as creating active learning opportunities, such as discussions or quizzes to drive learner participation, are all ways to do this. The best way to engage learners is to create an energetic learning environment to transfer instructor passion for the subject matter and where they can be curious, explore, and participate without judgement. This can be done through open discussion, constructive feedback, moderation of healthy learner debates, and respect of differing opinions. 6. [**Manage the classroom, not just the class.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1667/aai-delivery-skills-standard-6-manage-the-classroom-not-just-the-class?hash=cca74d8a034cd46b5c587afe07d3de39dcc92ff5&generated_by=751005) Instructors have many tools at their disposal whether they are teaching in-person or virtually. An important element to creating a learning environment where learners can thrive is understanding all capabilities of the tools available. Additionally, instructors should make the agenda and timing clear to learners from the outset, and pace the instruction and breaks appropriately. In this way, learners are no longer burdened with the responsibility of watching the clock and can instead focus on their learning objectives. 7. [**Aware of self and others.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1668/aai-delivery-skills-standard-7-aware-of-self-and-others?hash=cb80a99ac4b9417837dac1161f7b94b4fc03034a&generated_by=751005) In addition to technical knowledge, emotional intelligence can be just as valuable in the classroom. Building self-awareness allows instructors to better sense the surrounding environment. Interpreting shifts and emotions within an audience help instructors know when to adjust to foster a more empathetic classroom, build trust with learners, and tactfully approach different personalities. This environment is created in part due to the use of Cognitive Behavioral skills, which include: mindfulness, de-escalation, and emotional regulation. 8. [**Include all in the learning journey.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1669/aai-delivery-skills-standard-8-include-all-in-the-learning-journey?hash=67b37bf7db28dc9defe777a92bff8b41749e680d&generated_by=751005) Similar to the standard above and beyond a general empathy for others, Amazon continues to make it clear that exclusivity and intolerance have no place in our culture. As customer-facing employees, instructors are stewards of our culture. Instructors need awareness of explicit and implicit biases and how they can impact the class environment. Ways to cultivate this culture in the classroom include, 1) sensitivity to current world events, opposing viewpoints, and disenfranchisement of peoples, and 2) familiarity with adult learning preferences, disabilities, and neurodiversity, as well as strategies to accommodate those learners. Instructors should prepare for the inevitability that there will be customers with different learning needs present. --- ## Developmental – Continue to hone expert delivery skills 9. [**Stay open to improvement.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1670/aai-delivery-skills-standard-9-stay-open-to-improvement?hash=a830f31259d258624b18573696dc049c04fee439&generated_by=751005) There is always something to be improved. Great instructors understand this, stay humble, self-evaluate and seek out feedback. They stay up-to-date on their CSATs and evaluate feedback to address areas of opportunity. They volunteer for projects to grow their skills and are willing to fail fast. They continue to experiment with new teaching approaches and methods of engagement to constantly improve learner outcomes. 10. [**Be a community contributor.**](https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn/lp/1671/aai-delivery-skills-standard-10-be-a-community-contributor?hash=7a6dc3162f66f325349abcd763c562de6c6b36c1&generated_by=751005) Great instructors curate a list of resources, supplemental materials, teaching strategies, and exercises that help round out their deliveries. Their list is ever evolving and growing. They are collaborative in sharing their resources with peers to create a more knowledgeable global instructor community. They also share knowledge by leading delivery skills topics at events and providing peer feedback on delivery skills. ---