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Facilitation Skills

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Introduction

• Why do we use small-group activities during training?

• Can you share some examples of small-group activities you have used?

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Objectives

• Facilitate a small group activity• Facilitate the use of a case study• Facilitate the use of a role play• Conduct a brainstorming session• Facilitate a discussion

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Why small-group activities?

• Opportunity to learn from one another

• Involve all participants

• Create a sense of teamwork

• Provide for a variety of viewpoints

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Creating small groups

• Assign participants to groups• Ask participants to count off • Ask participants to form their own groups• Ask participants to draw a group number or

name

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Presenting instructions

• In a handout

• On a flipchart

• On a transparency or slide

• Orally by the trainer

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Typical instructions

• Directions• Time limit• A situation or problem to discuss, resolve or

role play• Participant roles (if a role play)• Questions for a group discussion

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After small-group activities

• Reports from each group

• Responses to activity questions

• Role plays developed and presented by participants in the small groups

• Recommendations from each group

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Advantages of case studies

• Participatory method of learning

• React to realistic and relevant cases

• Reactions often provide different perspectives and solutions to problems

• Develops problem-solving skills

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Sources of case studies

• Trainer experiences

• Medical histories/records, reference manuals, journals, etc.

• Experiences from healthcare staff, participants or clients

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Case study reaction exercises

• Analysis of the problem

• Focused questions

• Open-ended questions

• Problem solutions

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Sharing case study results

• Reports from individuals or small groups

• Responses to case study questions

• Role plays presented by individuals or small groups

• Recommendations from individuals or small groups

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Activity

• Work in small groups.

• As a group, answer the questions.

• We will discuss the answers as a large group.

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Advantages of role plays

• Highly motivational climate

• Active involvement in a realistic situation

• Experience a real-life situation without having to take real-life risks

• Gives participants an understanding of another person’s situation

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Conducting a role play

• Decide what the participants should learn (the objectives)

• Devise a simple situation

• Explain what the participants should do and what the audience should observe

• Discuss important features of the role play by asking questions of both the players and observers

• Summarize what happened in the session

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Activity

• Work in small groups

• Decide who will play each role.

• Review the roles of the players and the focus of the role play.

• Conduct the role play.

• Observers should answer the questions.

• Discuss in the large group.

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Question

• What is brainstorming?

• Why do we use brainstorming?

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Brainstorming Guidelines

• Establish ground rules (all ideas accepted, no discussion, no criticism)

• Announce the topic or problem

• Maintain a written record

• Involve the participants and provide feedback

• Review ideas and suggestions periodically

• Conclude by reviewing all the suggestions

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Question

• What is a discussion?

• How is a discussion different than a presentation?

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Discussion considerations

• Discussions involving more than 15 to 20 participants may be difficult

• Discussion requires more time than an illustrated lecture

• A poorly directed discussion may move away from the subject

• If control is not maintained, a few participants may dominate

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Types of discussions

• Group discussion

• General discussion

• Panel discussion

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Discussion techniques #1

• Arrange seating to encourage participant interaction

• State the topic as part of the introduction

• Shift the conversation from the facilitator to the participants

• Act as a referee and intercede only when necessary

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Discussion techniques #2

• Summarize the key points of the discussion periodically

• Ensure that the discussion stays on the topic

• Use the contributions of each participant and provide positive reinforcement

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Discussion techniques #3

• Minimize arguments among participants

• Encourage all participants to get involved

• Ensure no one dominates the discussion

• Conclude the discussion with a summary

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Activity

• In your groups, select a topic for brainstorming and a discussion.

• Identify a facilitator.

• We will ask at least one group to practice with the large group.