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Active Rain just gave me one of my most rewarding Instructor moments !

By
Real Estate Agent with KW Elite

     For 15+ years I have been instructing for 4-5 Realtor association schools. About two classes ago I decided to incorporate Active Rain into my Real Estate Sales Class. In preparation for this, I set up a AR Group(Real Estate Sales). This decision has produced one of the more rewarding situations in my training career ! Here are just a couple of my observations of how AR can be used to enhance your training class:

     1. In a multi-day class, it creates a central location where the class can hang out . Here they can get to know each other in a more intimate way . Reading each others thoughts and posting supportive comments builds class unity !

     2. They can all jump into the RAIN together, making similar mistakes. They can help each other get more familiar with Active Rain. They can explore the Rain and report back new findings to classmates !

     3. Our Group allowed us a Green Environment to assign homework to ! This was a six day class(5hrs. each) and on several occasions I gave them assignments to summarize a chapter by posting a 100 word blog article to our Group. It taught them how easy that process was on Active Rain !

     4. A huge feature that I had prepared for the group was I had pre-written a series of blog posts that I assigned to the new Group that actually summarized what I was teaching each day ! It gave them a place to go and see what that day's take home points were ! Also it was a place to learn how to comment on a post !

     5. As this experience went on, they started to realize that they were accumulating points ! They started to notice that they were moving forward in the Point Standings in their County ! This started to stir a competitive spirit, that made them want to learn more about the Rain !

     6. It created a centralize location where the could start to share(creating even more teamwork) different real estate tools and resources !

     7. Finally it allowed them to get to know their instructor in a more deeper way ! It provided them dependable access to their instructor between classes ! It allowed me to see what they were doing and quickly post a comment to support them.

     Class is now over , but I'm permanently connected to most of them now ,in the RAIN ! Almost all of the 20 students have continued their camaraderie by joining Gettysburg Gerry's South Central PA Group. My assignment now is to accomplish the same experience in both my investment and property management classes !  http://activerain.com/groups/realestatesales 

Posted by

 

Michael J. Perry

KELLER WILLIAMS Elite

www.lancaster4sale.com  

 

1280 Plaza Blvd. , Lancaster, PA 17601

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Longtime West Lampeter resident and Lancaster County Realtor!

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Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Great idea, I joined your group.

Feb 13, 2011 03:26 AM
David Krichmar
www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com - Legend Lending - Sugar Land, TX
DaveYourMortgageGuy.com

Great idea.  i teach a class on blogging, facebook  and your internet presecence.  and i cant imagine doing it without Active Rain.  for me it is the #1 website to continue to learn on all these topics. 

Feb 13, 2011 03:26 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

That is a very special moment when your students have the light buld moment go off. Keep up the great work.

Feb 13, 2011 03:55 AM
Kent Dills
Broker, Dills Real Estate - Bellingham, WA
Real Estate 817-495-8028, Bellingham, Washington

Congrats on the innovative use of AR to assist your students in both 1) enriching their learning experience and 2) enriching their technology, real estate tools, and networking skills!  Way to go!  ;-)

Feb 13, 2011 04:08 AM
Janet McCarthy
San Diego Homes Guide - San Diego, CA
Broker Associate

I learned about AR form my team leader, Cory Barbee at Keller Williams.  He didn't teach a class like you did but he did to a great presentation I a was inspired to join.  

For some people blogging is easy but there is so much more to learn.  For others blogging seems overwhelming and they need teachers like you to push them beyond their fears.

Feb 13, 2011 04:40 AM
Jeff Goodrick
Sea Coast Exclusive Properties - Carlsbad, CA
Coastal Home Specialist 760.822.1020

Nothing like teaching to reinforce the learning process too.  That is thinking out of the box

Feb 13, 2011 04:45 AM
Brad Hornshaw
Brad Hornshaw Realtor Lynnwood, Bothell, Everett - Lynnwood, WA
Realtor, Listing Agent, Buyers Agent, Investments
Hi Michael Great idea. From the very beginning I have recognized the learning value of A.R being a relatively new agent I have learned so much just reading and commenting on posts daily. Although it is not one of the reasons I signed up on A.R it is definitely the biggest reason I will stick with it..........Brad
Feb 13, 2011 04:45 AM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

Good for you for adding to the mix. All the best.

Feb 13, 2011 05:15 AM
Bob Zorechak - ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan - Morristown, NJ
Sells Homes in Morris/Somerset/Hunterdon Cos., NJ

Extemely innovating. Great job!

Feb 13, 2011 06:11 AM
Jan Laurie
JL Residential Styling & Staging - Nanaimo, BC

Nicely done Michael. I refer to this sort of thing as 'The Cleverness Factor'. 

Welcome aboard to the class!

Feb 13, 2011 06:42 AM
Jennifer Prestwich
Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster - Henderson, CO
Madison & Co Properties

Michael- what a great way to interact and teach with your students.  This hands-on approach is an excellent way to demonstrate wht you are teaching while they are learning it!  Brilliant!  Leaning....

Feb 13, 2011 08:06 AM
Brenda, Ron, Lee Cunningham & Tara Keator
West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro

That was such a great idea!

Feb 13, 2011 08:20 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek
IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM - Toronto, ON
Real Estate CRM & Marketing Made Easy!

Very inventive Michael.  The Active Rain folks are going to LOVE this!  :)

Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact, The Easy Way To Manage Your Contacts

Feb 13, 2011 09:48 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I think you are wise to incorporate Active Rain into your training.  Then Active Rain will also become a training venue of its own for them.

Feb 13, 2011 10:19 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I was in an ABR class last year and the instructor asked if any of us was blogging. In a room of about 30, I was the only one. She asked me to say a few words and I did. Their response was why write a blog that only other realtors read. They didn't get it and I didn't try to explain. Just more business for me.

Feb 13, 2011 03:38 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

This is such a great idea! Way to spread the word and what great benefits to your class!!

Feb 14, 2011 01:52 AM
Phil Parisi
Sea Flag Homes - Jensen Beach, FL
Specializing in Florida's Treasure Coast

Great Idea, thanks for the post

Feb 14, 2011 02:48 AM
Bill Rozek
Embrace Home Loans, Inc. - Potomac, MD
NMLS #214260

What a great way to teach your students how to build business in the internet age!

Feb 14, 2011 04:08 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Just started a new Real Estate Sales Class with 14 students and tonites Homework is "How to Join AR"

Feb 14, 2011 05:41 AM
Dennis Neal
RE/MAX, Big Bear - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

ActiveRain is so usefull for so many reasons. I'm glad to hear it is helping you out.

Feb 14, 2011 09:25 AM