Facilitation Skills
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Transcript of Facilitation Skills
Ten Steps to Facilitating a Better Learning Experience
Set the tone
• Set a non-threatening environment from the start
• Adopt the mindset that there are no stupid questions; everyone is here to learn
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Connect with the audience
• Use the ‘introductions’ to connect with each individual participant
• Reflect back on introductory statements
• That connection will serve you well throughout the session
Share experiences
• Provide stories and experiences and allow participants to do the same
• A lot of learning comes out of discussing real life examples
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All in!
• Involve everyone – some participants need more encouragement than others to participate
• Find a way to include every participant
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Learn by doing
• Incorporate activities that allow participants to practice concepts, reinforce learning and be exposed to other ideas and points of view
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Mix it up!
• Have participants change seats
• Divide participants differently for each activity to allow interaction between as many as possible to enrich the learning experience
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Create competition
• With the right group a little friendly competition can add a new dimension to any session
• Individuals or groups can compete in activities, answering questions or any other opportunities you can identify
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Be prepared to adapt
• Depending on your audience, you may need to adapt the schedule and/or content
• Prepare in advance to make a smooth transition
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You know what they say about the best laid plans . . .
Remember: a visual aid is only an AID!
• Avoid being a ‘talking head’ reading from a deck of slides
• Talking to the flipchart or whiteboard impacts your vocal strength
• Visuals should enhance your presentation; not be it
• YOU are the main visual
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Enjoy yourself
• Energy is contagious
• If you are having fun, participants will be more relaxed, focused and attentive
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Mary Gill
Learning and Development Consultant
(617) 838-6674
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