Effective Session Facilitation Techniques for Training: Key Elements and Skills

Facilitation Skills Kamal NayanPradhan NASC Session Facilitation Technique

Agenda • Understanding Facilitation in Training • Role of Facilitator • Facilitation Skills • Dynamics of Presentation • Presentation Skills

What is facilitation? • “Making things easy”. It is simply a way of guiding a group through the process so they can better manage the content. • It is primarily about enabling, supporting and encouraging learners learn Session Facilitation Technique

Facilitation – in training • Achieved by adopting a flexible style of teaching, which is learner -centered, experiential, and activity - based. • Needs to be attentive to both content and process when facilitating a session. Session Facilitation Technique

Facilitation – in training • Providing a process opportunity resource and support for learners to help them to learn effectively. • Individual need to make their own effort to learn. They can learn more effectively if they get support. • Facilitation is an approach to provide such supports to the learners by the trainer. Session Facilitation Technique

Characteristic of Facilitation • Provision of learning opportunity, resource and process • Active involvement of the learner • Participatory and developmental approach to learning • Effort and responsibility of learner Session Facilitation Technique

Role of facilitator Guide S/he must know the steps of the process from beginning to end and must carefully guide the participants through each phase. Motivator From the rousing opening statement to the closing word of cheer, the facilitator must ignite a fire within the group and keep it well lit. Session Facilitation Technique

Role …………………………………………….. Bridge builder S/he must create and maintain a safe and open environment for sharing ideas. Peacemaker Avoid direct confrontation between participants. Praiser Praise the effort put forth, the progress made and the results achieved Session Facilitation Technique

Role …………………………….. Clairvoyant Watch carefully for signs of potential strain and aggravation - and respond in advance to avoid dysfunctional behaviour. Taskmaster Keeping the session on track Session Facilitation Technique

Key facilitation skills • Presenting resources and context for learning • Motivating learners in the learning process • Involving learners in the learning activities • Generating interactions in the learning process. Session Facilitation Technique

Key facilitation skills……. • Processing information contributed by the learners • Managing group activities • Observing learners behaviors • Evaluating learner’s performance and providing feedback Session Facilitation Technique

Presentation Skills

Motivating learners • Catch attention at the beginning of the session (through visual, incident, fact or experience). • Inform why the content of the session is important for the learners to learn and how they can apply them. • Share and discuss learning objectives • Relate the contents to the real problems or situations of the learner Session Facilitation Technique

Interaction and Involvement • Individual and group works as much as possible. • Create opportunities for participation by low contributors. • Invite comments from the other groups on the work of one group Session Facilitation Technique

Interaction………….. • Assign responsibility to the learners and involve them actively. • Give only limited information at a time • Use more participatory methods and show visuals. Session Facilitation Technique

Group Management Technique • Arrange for frequent group works • Determine in advance the purpose and process of group works • Form appropriate groups Session Facilitation Technique

Group…… • Use interesting and varied techniques for group formation • Brief the purpose, task and role to group members before the group starts working • Have the group present their conclusions/ findings verbally or visually. Session Facilitation Technique

Processing information • Record key information on board/flipchart • Ask clarification, if necessary • Collect other views/comments Session Facilitation Technique

Process……. • Try to generate learning points from the information provided by the learners • Check understanding time to time • Ask questions to get more information Session Facilitation Technique

Evaluating performance and feedback • Decide what, how and when to evaluate • Use various methods for evaluation • Evaluate as many aspects as possible such as, understanding, skills, acceptance etc. Session Facilitation Technique

Evaluating performance…… • Provide feedback on positive outcomes first • Include suggestions while giving negative feedback • Feedback should be specific and balanced. Session Facilitation Technique

Observing learners’ behavior Session Facilitation Technique

Observing learners’ behavior Behavior/ if they are: • Smiling • Nodding affirmatively • Leaning forward • Maintaining eye contact Probable meaning • Enthusiastic and showing interest • Agreement with what is happening Session Facilitation Technique

Behavior/ if they are: • Yawning • Staring off into sky • Shuffling feet • Leaning back • Looking at the clock Probable meaning • Boredom • Fatigue • Uninterested Session Facilitation Technique

Behavior/ if they are: • Scratching head • Pursing lips • Looking outside • Avoiding eye contact Probable meaning • Confusion • Disagreement • Suppression of feeling Session Facilitation Technique

Thank you Session Facilitation Technique

Effective Session Facilitation Techniques for Training: Key Elements and Skills