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: ChallengesPrepare 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

Room Setup

Room Setup

Room Setup

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

• The 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