Facilitating Learning and Project Groups

COS 4860Bruce Barnard

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”.

Margaret Meade

Contact Information

Instructor: Bruce Barnard, M.S.

E-Mail: bkbarnard2@eiu.edu

 

Phone: Phone 217 778-8470

Office Hours: By appointment

Course Description

People at all organizational levels accomplish their work alongside and through others. A fundamental workplace competency is the capacity to facilitate learning and project groups. Participants will practice facilitation principles and strategies, including how to deal with common facilitation problems

Course Expectations (Team)

Facilitation Handbook 

Produced by your in-class team

200 Points

Course Expectations (Individual)

  Class facilitation exercise 100 3 Reaction Papers 150 Midterm 50

Final 100

(deduction for lack of attendance)

Course Expectations (Graduates)

Graduate Paper

200 Points

GradingUndergraduates540-600 A480-539 B420-479 C360-419 DBelow 360 F Graduates720-800 A640-719 B560-639 C480-559 DBelow 480 F

Experiential Learning Learn by Doing Do by Learning

Behavioral Expectations Participate Listen deeply and genuinely to

others Prepare Open your mind to new ideas Enjoy yourself Respect your ability to grow

Behavioral Expectations Respect others Communicate that respect Experiment and take risks Accept principle of equifinility Seek questions Honor your promises

What is Facilitation? To make easy, less difficult, or

more easily achieved.(Ease, expedite, smooth, assist, aid,

help, further, promote, advance)

Oxford Dictionary

What is Facilitation? The process of managing group

discussions and group processes so that individuals learn and group members encounter a positive experience.

McLagan & Bedrick, 1993

What is Facilitation? Leading the group in eliciting

answers, building a vision, and developing plans that motivate everyone to achieve agreed upon goals – in short, to win for all members.

Spencer, 1989

What is Facilitation? Group facilitation is a process in

which a person who is acceptable to all members of the group, substantially neutral, and has no decision-making authority, intervenes to help a group improve the way it identifies and solves problems and makes decisions.

Schwartz, 1994

Facilitation Competencies Engage in Professional Growth

Maintain knowledge base Know a range of processes and

methods Maintain professional standing,

continuing education

Source (Pierce, Cheesebrow, & Mathews-Braun, 2000)

Facilitation Competencies Create Collaborative relationships

Develop working partnerships with those serves

Create and maintain professional, collegial relationships

Co-design and customize applications needed to meet client needs.

Facilitation Competencies Create an Environment of

Participation Demonstrate effective interpersonal

skills Honor and recognize diversity,

ensuring inclusiveness Facilitate group conflict

Facilitation Competencies Utilize Multi-sensory Approaches

Evoke group creativity, blending learning and thinking styles

Employ multi-sensory processes Use time and space to support group

processes

Facilitation Competencies Orchestrate the Group Journey

Guide the group with clear methods and processes

Facilitate group self-awareness Work towards consensus and desired

outcomes

Facilitation Competencies Commit to a Life of Integrity

Ask the depth questions Model profound affirmation, articulate

the possibility of transformation Trust the group’s potential and model

neutrality

What is Facilitation Exercise

Part 1 what makes a good definition?

Part 2 define facilitation

Types of Work Teams Task Force (temporary, assembled to

investigate as specific issue or problem) Problem Solving (same as task force) Product Design (temporary, assembled

to design a product or service) Committee (temporary or permanent,

assembled to act on some matter)

Types of Work Teams Work Group (permanent, a group of

workers who receive direction from a leader)

Multi-Agency (temporary or permanent, representatives of multiple agencies assembled to improve coordination)

Quality Circle (a group of workers who meet to improve performance or uncover and solve problems.

Types of Work Teams Work Team or Self-Directed Work

Team(An on-going group of workers who share a common mission who collectively manage their own affairs within pre-determined boundaries)

Types of Learning Groups Study Groups Formal In-Class Teams Formal Project Groups &

Committees Clubs and Organizations What others have you been

involved in?

Stages of Group Development Polite Stage Why we are here Bid for power Constructive Team

Stages of Group Development Forming Awareness Storming Conflict Norming Cooperation Performing Productivity Adjourning Separation

Stages of Group Development Getting started Going in circles Getting on course Full speed ahead

Group Effectiveness The Orpheus Experience

Roles are stated, agreed upon, and understood

Members invest an equal amount of time in doing real work on the team

Outcomes drive the team Members pay attention to how they work

together The purpose and mission of the team is

clear

Group Effectiveness The Orpheus Experience

Deadlines are stated and respected Teams receive support from the

organization Teams understand their

interdependence with other teams and supports other teams

Teams are accountable to the organization

Group Effectiveness Aged

Clearly stated objectives Small successes reinforce commitment Diverse objectives linked to a common

purpose Common goal that benefits all members Mutually supportive Adversity strengthens bonds Recognize & reward real and symbolic needs

Group Effectiveness The team effectiveness model

Inputs Individual contributions teamwork organizational factors (rewards,

incentives)

Group Effectiveness The team effectiveness model

Process Work hard enough Have sufficient knowledge and skills Have an appropriate strategy Have constructive group dynamics

Group Effectiveness The team effectiveness model

Outputs Goods Services Decisions Quantity Quality

The Meeting Teambuilding Inc.

Is this meeting necessary? What is your goal for the meeting? Have an agenda Get everyone involved Foster debate, brainstorm, be creative Keep minutes 2 minute evaluation, what went well, what

can be improved

What Hurts? Negative body language False participation (yessing for political

gain) Triangling Crosstalk Stamp Collecting Going deep Destructive humor

What Helps? Melinda Zetlin

Open-mindedness Deal with the conflict Respect each others time Listening Low defensiveness Full participation Honesty

Assignment for Next Week Read pages 1-53 of the text

Teamwork

“There has never been a greater need for mastering team learning in organizations than there is today”.Peter Senge