David Layne, SR/WA and Janet Walker, SR/WA, R/W-NAC Successful Facilitation Tips 2010 International Education Conference

Supports the IPDC’s efforts by providing tips and techniques to help improve our facilitation skills.

“Jump-in” with your thoughts, comments, and questions.

Adult Education Theory Andragogy: art and science of helping adults learn learner focused learner makes decisions about: what will be learned how it will be learned when it will be learned

Adult Education Theory The andragogic model requires: learners to understand why something is important to learn facilitators to assist the learners to direct themselves

Adult Education Theory The andragogic model notes: the topic must be related to the learners' experiences individuals will learn only when they are ready and motivated to learn

Quick Tip: Theory You are facilitating ‘big’ people learning not teaching ‘little’ people Big people Little people

Do’s and Don’ts Do use the IRWA materials Do use the IRWA presentation Don’t teach to the exam Don’t grade the exams

Logistics Logistics = coordinating the course details

Quick Tips: Logistics Add the Course Coordinator’s cell number to your contact list Know how you gain access to the room Check out the room the night before

Quick Tips: Logistics Arrive 1 hour prior Locate bathrooms, break room, restaurant/cafeteria Know something about the community

Quick Tips: Logistics Know who is providing the audio/visual equipment Confirm the equipment works with your laptop Have a backup plan

Quick Tips: Logistics Confirm the manuals and other materials are available Ensure your “trainer in the box” has been replenished Get a copy of the participant roster prior to class

Quick Tips: Challenges Prepare for but don’t anticipate the worst: lost luggage no course materials/ equipment you can’t get in the building you don’t know an answer

Quick Tips: Room Setup Assess set up based on your facilitation needs Ensure the room is set up correctly

Room Setup

Preparation Prepare, prepare, prepare Practice, practice, practice

Preparation Prepare “It takes more than three weeks to prepare an impromptu speech” Practice “In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.”

Quick Tips: Preparing Facilitation starts long before the course Be the first one there and the last one to leave

Quick Tips: Staging Rehearse your opening DON’T read Be flexible

Quick Tips: Staging Learn participants’ names The introduction promotes engagement Make eye contact

Quick Tips: Staging Be ‘PC’ Maintain a respectful attitude Be friendly, helpful, and professional

Quick Tips: Staging Be yourself Use the participants’ language Be culturally aware

Quick Tips: Managing T he classroom is not a democracy Manage the room Stay on schedule

Quick Tips: Managing What happens if the participant is … too helpful disinterested ‘doubting Thomas’ silent too talkative rambling too quick to answer

Quick Tips: Facilitating Facilitation = what we do to transfer knowledge Health = how the participants feel when we are facilitating

Quick Tips: Facilitating Vary your facilitation Be really open to questions Handle problems as they arise

Quick Tips: Facilitating Stay current Get curious Facilitate based on course content

Quick Tips: Facilitating Let the non- instructional times enhance the instructional time Encourage group learning Ask questions

Quick Tips: Facilitating Make it relevant Draw on their knowledge and experience Let participants facilitate their own learning

Quick Tips: Facilitating Challenge Breath life Consider pace What’s the fit Technical Negotiation Valuation/ Appraisal Regulatory

Quick Tip: Health “Do unto the participants as you would have other facilitators do unto you.”

Quick Tips: Health Introduce variety Link stories to learning Provide practical examples and workplace application

Quick Tips: Health Be vigorous and energetic Check out how the participants are feeling/doing Incorporate natural breaks

Quick Tips: Confirming Confirm learning and understanding Observe exercises Provide coaching Connect with the entire room

Quick Tips: Closing Give yourself time to close Ask for final questions Thank them for their participation Say good-bye

Sharing Tips

David Layne, SR/WA and Janet Walker, SR/WA, R/W-NAC Thank you for participating