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Effective Facilitation Skills

Facilitation Basics Facilitation is a multi-faceted approach to education It requires many different skills It requires the ability to read an audience

Facilitation vs. Training Facilitators… Initiate and take part in effective dialogue Help groups improve the way they identify and solve problems Help groups to make decisions and deal with conflict

Facilitation vs. Training Trainers…. Provide new information, techniques and skills Help to increase knowledge Clarify attitudes and beliefs Improve existing skills

Facilitation vs. Training Facilitators…. Need effective listening skills Need to keep the group on track Need to ask the right questions to probe creativity and insight Need to involve all participants

Facilitation vs. Training Trainers… Need measurable, obtainable objectives for each session Need to listen well Need to give constructive feedback Need to prepare the training environment

Facilitation vs. Presentation Facilitation is.. People centred Flexible on goals and objectives Question focused Focused on needs of participant Focused on continuous feedback

Facilitation vs. Presentation Presentations are… Centred on subject Firm goal and objective based Statement focused Agenda centred Focused primarily on the presenter Primarily lecture format

Facilitation vs. Training Facilitation is used when: Giving out information Collecting data & ideas Discussing tough issues Reflecting on important issues and events

Facilitation vs. Training Training is used when: Knowledge about content or process needs to be transferred from expert to learner

Adult Learning Principles Adults are autonomous and self directed Must be actively involved in the learning process WIIFM (what’s in it for me) Important to provide framework Responsibility is in the hands of the learner!

Adult Learning Principles Adults have a foundation of life experiences and knowledge Work related activities can be relevant Family responsibilities are important to them Previous education is valuable It’s important to relate theories and concepts to actual experiences

Adult Learning Principles Adults are goal oriented They require clearly defined objectives Adults are relevancy-oriented There needs to be a reason for their learning The information must be applicable somehow How does this help them in their career? Adults need to be shown respect

Learning Styles - Diverger Prefer to observe from different points of view rather than act Brainstorming Need an emotional buy-in Give them opportunity to watch Involve them in the decision making process Allow them time to examine all sides of an issue Take emotional factors (people) into consideration

Learning Styles - Assimilator Need opportunities to watch and think Need to know ‘WHY’ Appreciate relevant reading materials Want to see facts, statistics and data to support Can take wide ranging information and condense it into logical form Idea and concept based

Learning Styles - Converger Are inquisitive Enjoy discovering practical uses for ideas and theories Solving technical problems is fun Not great with social issues Need hands-on learning experience Take care not to criticize their methodology Show examples of expected outcomes Involve them in the analysis of their performance Help them see options

Learning Styles - Accommodator Need hands-on learning opportunities Challenge them with aggressive objectives and new ideas Keep them active Encourage creative thinking Provide guidelines and procedures Learn through experience and by doing Enjoy developing plans to complete complex tasks Often rely on ‘gut’ feelings Prefer to ask other for input

Preparing for facilitation

Little Things Mean Everything It’s best not to take things for granted Make a list of everything you need Good to be a little nervous Too much comfort = mistakes

Preparation Prepare a list of items necessary for your seminar projector, flipcharts, markers, paper etc. Ensure they are available at least 1 week prior to the seminar Decide on room layout and ensure venue is properly notified well in advance

Preparation Know your presentation Know your audience (read and rehearse prior to seminar) Know your audience Think about little things that you can customize Create an introduction / agenda plan for breaks - frequent breaks maintain interest and stimulate brain activity

Preparation - (day of) Arrive early (at least 1 hour prior) Ensure coffee / tea and other amenities are available Make sure room is set up to your expectations Make sure A/V equipment is working

Keep it interesting and interactive Introduction Try to greet each participant introduce yourself and find out their name Remembering is another thing - Start on time (important if you expect to finish on time) Review agenda and course outline Housekeeping (washrooms etc.) Keep it interesting and interactive

Participants need to know why they are there Objectives Participants need to know why they are there Ask for their objectives or what they would like to obtain from the program. Provide your objectives for the group this is your opportunity to motivate the participant

Types of Participants Learners - want to be there because they already see intrinsic value Vacationer - will drift in and out. You should show benefits to them and engage them to participate Prisoner - they have better things to do and don’t want to be there. You must explain the benefits and engage them

Tips for Success Use icebreakers to ease tension Use different colours of markers to highlight different points on flipcharts Use anecdotes - people tend to relate to real life situations better than theory Look at it from their point of view (WIIFM) What’s in it for me? Have Fun

Methods of Transferring Information Question & Answer Lecturette Discussion Anecdotes Hands on Feedback Reading Review

Information Transfer Materials PowerPoint presentations Flipcharts White boards Handouts Samples TV / VCR

More tips... Don’t read slides - talk about them slides should contain a few bullets and you should expand the information Give recognition and encouragement “Great question”, “Excellent Point” Be enthusiastic Show interest in individuals (involve them)

More tips... Use a variety of delivery methods discussion, hands on, lecture, video etc Use visuals to maintain interest Test for Understanding of principles ask a series of questions

More tips... Change your tone when talking Change your position from time to time Be aware of your position with relation to others (respect their space) and also to the screen (don’t walk in front of the screen)