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Merge pull request #427 from GSA/bc-update-training
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Update training availability
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afeijoo authored Apr 19, 2024
2 parents 06e5db8 + 134a539 commit 76cf0dd
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4 changes: 0 additions & 4 deletions _data/navigation.yml
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Expand Up @@ -5,14 +5,10 @@ law:
href: /law/page-template/

training:
- text: Introductory classes
href: /training/introductory-classes/
- text: Videos
href: /training/videos/
- text: Online training
href: /training/online-training/
- text: Train-the-trainer bootcamp
href: /training/train-the-trainer-bootcamp/
- text: Create your own class
href: /training/create-your-own-class/
- text: Tips for starting a plain language program
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3 changes: 1 addition & 2 deletions _pages/about/index.md
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Expand Up @@ -19,10 +19,9 @@ To promote plain language, we:

- develop and maintain the content of this site
- [manage the plain language community of practice](https://www.digitalgov.gov/communities/plain-language/)
- [offer free half-day training sessions to federal agencies]({{ site.baseurl }}/training/introductory-classes/)
- sponsor occasional seminars about plain language

We meet monthly to discuss plain language issues. Our meetings are open to all federal employees. [Subscribe to our mailing list](https://www.digitalgov.gov/communities/plain-language/) to learn about upcoming events.
[Join the Plain Language community of practice](https://www.digitalgov.gov/communities/plain-language/) to learn about upcoming events.

Please [contact us](mailto:{{ site.email }}) if you have questions about how to promote plain language within your agency.

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2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion _pages/training/create-your-own-class.md
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- /resources/for_trainers/PLAIN.cfm
---

PLAIN offers a variety of introductory classes on plain language. You may use these materials as the basis of your own class.
You may use these materials as the basis of your own class.

## Half-day presentations

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12 changes: 3 additions & 9 deletions _pages/training/index.md
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- /resources/take_training/plaintraining.cfm
---

## Classes for federal agencies
## Elevate your communications with online plain language training

We offer two kinds of plain language training:
We understand that in-person training sessions aren't always convenient. That's why we've compiled a collection of on-demand, online plain language training resources.

### [Introductory classes]({{ site.baseurl }}/training/introductory-classes/)

We provide a free half-day introduction to plain language to federal agencies. You must have at least 20 participants. Ask if one of our experienced trainers is available for your agency.

### [Train-the-trainer bootcamp]({{ site.baseurl }}/training/train-the-trainer-bootcamp/)

We need trainers to help us provide plain language training to government agencies. Our trainers are federal employees from across the government who volunteer 1–2 classes a year (outside of their own agencies). We offer these periodically; we can add you to the waitlist.
Find expert guidance and tools to simplify writing and communicate with greater clarity. Explore our selection of the best online materials, available whenever you're ready to learn.

## Public resources

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8 changes: 2 additions & 6 deletions _pages/training/online-training.md
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Plain language training is available in many forms. This page provides links to some of the plain language training resources we have found. If you know of any training resources that we've overlooked, please [contact us](mailto:{{ site.email }}).

- U.S. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) through Digital.gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. [8-11-2020 workshop](https://digital.gov/event/2020/08/11/plain-language-basics-online-class/) and [9-10-2020 workshop](https://digital.gov/event/2020/09/10/taking-plain-language-workshop-online/). The materials are similar in both.
- U.S. government agencies are required to communicate in plain language. Digital.gov held two online workshops to explain how to write in plain language. [8-11-2020 workshop](https://digital.gov/event/2020/08/11/plain-language-basics-online-class/) and [9-10-2020 workshop](https://digital.gov/event/2020/09/10/taking-plain-language-workshop-online/). The materials are similar in both.

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an [online health literacy training](https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/gettraining.html) for health professionals.

- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed a [Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective](https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/WrittenMaterialsToolkit/index.html). It focuses on healthcare and health literacy, but its principles can be used for any discipline.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed a [Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective](https://www.cms.gov/training-education/learn/find-tools-to-help-you-help-others/guidelines-for-effective-writing). It focuses on healthcare and health literacy, but its principles can be used for any discipline.

- The Department of Defense [training](https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/iss_training/PlainLanguageNONinteractive.mp4?ver=2020-02-03-145233-077) covers what plain language is, why you should write in plain language, and how to write in plain language.

- The Department of the Army made their [training for staff officers]({{ site.baseurl }}/media/actionoff.pdf) (PDF) available to us.

- The Essentials of Plain Language is a [nine part training](https://academy.govloop.com/watch/hDzHyqdB4T7K3fjbvuGk8B) that covers plain language principles and the Plain Language Writing Act of 2010.

- The Federal Aviation Administration has made its [basic course](https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/plain_language/basic_course/) and [plain language toolkit](https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/plain_language/media/toolkit.pdf) available online.

- The National Institutes of Health offers a free plain language [training course](https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/plain-language/plain-language-getting-started-or-brushing) that introduces you to the basics of plain language. It's not just for medical folks. The goal of this training is to help you learn to organize your ideas, use a clear writing style, and become a more effective communicator.

- The government of Mexico kicked off a program in 2004 encouraging plain language in government writing. You can download this compressed file of [the materials]({{ site.baseurl }}/media/lenguaje.zip) they prepared for the participants. This material is in Spanish.
10 changes: 0 additions & 10 deletions _pages/training/tips-for-trainers.md
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Expand Up @@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ Starting a plain language program can be challenging. But like most challenges,

As a first step, you'll want to look at our training materials to get an idea of what you should cover:

- We periodically offer a [Train-the-Trainer Bootcamp]({{ site.baseurl }}/training/train-the-trainer-bootcamp/).

- The [Federal Plain Language Guidelines]({{ site.baseurl }}/guidelines/) is our handbook for writers. You can use it to structure a training course. It makes a good text or reference for your students.

- You can also use our training materials to [create your own class]({{ site.baseurl }}/training/create-your-own-class/).
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- [Use tables]({{ site.baseurl }}/guidelines/design/use-tables-to-make-complex-material-easier-to-understand/). You can use tables effectively for much more than just showing numerical data.

- [Use lists]({{ site.baseurl }}/guidelines/organize/use-lists/). Using lists instead of traditional paragraphs can help you convey detailed information quickly without overloading your readers.

## Work with us

We can also help you work with one of our trained instructors to set up a course.

[The Plain Writing Act of 2010](http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h946enr.txt.pdf) requires agencies to train their staff in plain language. PLAIN offers free consultation to federal agencies on how to start an internal agency plain language program. We have previously worked with the National Institutes of Health, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Veterans Benefits Administration (to name a few). These agencies now have self-run, thriving plain language programs.

If you have any questions or need more help, [contact us](mailto:{{ site.email }}).
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17 changes: 4 additions & 13 deletions _pages/training/videos.md
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<iframe title="Plain Language Summit 2020" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EsJh0GuGYDA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## YouTube playlists
## Plain language playlists

- [2019 PLAIN Summit](https://www.youtube.com/embed/cny1CIMuv3o)
- [2018 PLAIN Summit](https://www.youtube.com/embed/W4gzfemW0Rc)
- [PLAIN](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd9b-GuOJ3nHMlmPFMw8cJxN_DW-odj0J)
- [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLADE80C67FDB39352)
- [Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)](https://www.youtube.com/user/OWLPurdue/playlists)

## PLAIN Meetings

- [June 2021 Meeting: Using Words to Build Better Digital Experiences](https://digital.gov/event/2021/06/09/plain-language-webinar-using-words-to-build-better-digital-experiences/)
- [2019 PLAIN Summit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cny1CIMuv3o)
- [2018 PLAIN Summit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4gzfemW0Rc)
- [June 2021 Meeting: Using Words to Build Better Digital Experiences](https://digital.gov/event/2021/06/09/plain-language-webinar-using-words-to-build-better-digital-experiences/)
- [May 2021 Meeting: Positioning Yourself as a Plain Language Editor](https://digital.gov/event/2021/05/19/positioning-yourself-as-a-plain-language-editor/)
- [April 2021 Meeting: How Testing Your Documents Can Improve Plain Language Compliance](https://digital.gov/event/2021/04/14/how-testing-your-documents-can-improve-plain-language-compliance/)
- [March 2021 Meeting: Plain Language: Accessibility for Content](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_WYcQnVOf4&t=4s)
- [February 2021 Meeting: Plain Language: Virtual Teaching](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBCxGDtYaXw&t=3s)
- [July 2020 Meeting: Federal Plain Language Report Card Update](https://digital.gov/event/2020/07/15/federal-report-card-update/)
- [July 2019 Meeting: Federal Plain Language Report Card Planning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_zTZGDE7Gg&list=PLd9b-GuOJ3nHMlmPFMw8cJxN_DW-odj0J&index=1)
- [June 2019 Meeting: How to Develop an Agency Brand Voice that Connects With Customers Online](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmxv70Tn2hk&list=PLd9b-GuOJ3nHMlmPFMw8cJxN_DW-odj0J&index=3)
- [March 2019 Meeting: Managing Your Plain Language Career](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIR489Oq7OY&list=PLd9b-GuOJ3nHMlmPFMw8cJxN_DW-odj0J&index=3&t=2s)
- [March 2018 Meeting: Infographics: Plain Language Considerations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49SJvZT3t2s)
- [July 2017 Meeting: Plainspoken Science](https://youtu.be/ZZdDJWl8bEc)
- [June 2017 Meeting: Plain Language Spectrum: Every Step Counts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGYhWjSmDvs)

## Other videos we like

- [Descriptive Link Language](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_XLTAEp6lQ)

- [Plain Language Training](https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/iss_training/PlainLanguageNONinteractive.mp4?ver=2020-02-03-145233-077), Department of Defense

- [How to Use Plain Language on a Government Website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtXSCwphuzg), DigitalGov

- [Demand to Understand: How Plain Language Makes Life Simpler](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXcLwlZOE1s), Deborah Bosley

- [Writing Science in Plain English](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn7f5tsgjx8), University of Cambridge

---
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