Successful Facilitation Tips
2010 International Education Conference
David Layne, SR/WA and Janet Walker, SR/WA , R/W-NAC
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
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 noninstructional 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
Regulatory
Negotiation
Valuation/
Appraisal
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
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Thank you for participating
David Layne, SR/WA and Janet Walker, SR/WA, R/W-NAC