FACILITATING SMALL GROUPSMentor Train-the-Trainer

COURSE GOALThis course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively facilitate small group sessions

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Participants will be able to:

Explain the various stages of group development

Identify the characteristics of adult learning

Explain the difference between training and facilitation

Describe small group facilitation skills and use them during teach-back activities

Understand the need to ensure cultural competency when facilitating a group

GROUPS

GROUP PROCESS

Cooperation Coordination Common Procedures Mutual Support

THE LIFECYCLE OF GROUPS

THE STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT

GROUP DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS

Acquaintance Groundwork Working Closure

Interpersonal Issues Group Behavioral

Patterns Group Task/Issues Leadership Issues

THE LIFECYCLE OF GROUPS

Acquaintance Orientation

Groundwork Organization

Working Cohesiveness

Closure Separation and re-

entry

ACQUAINTANCE STAGE

Interpersonal Issues Inclusion

Group/Behavioral Patterns Identity

Group Task/Issues Dependence

Leadership Issues Commitment

GROUNDWORK STAGE

Interpersonal Issues Control

Group/Behavioral Patterns Norm Setting

Group Task/Issues Decision Making

Process Leadership Issues

Counter-Dependence

WORKING STAGE

Interpersonal Issues Affection

Group/Behavioral Patterns Negotiation/Cohesion

Group Task/Issues Functional Relationships

Leadership Issues Interdependence

CLOSURE STAGE

Interpersonal Issues Separation

Group/Behavioral Patterns Growth and Insight

Group Task/Issues Application & Productivity

Leadership Issues Independence

ADULT LEARNING

CHILDHOOD VS ADULT LEARNING

Major Differences Learners Role Motivation for

Learning Choice of Content Method of Focus

ADULT LEARNING OCCURS BEST WHEN… It is self-directed Fills an immediate need Is participatory in nature Provides feedback Shows respect for learner Occurs in a comfortable

environment

THE LEARNING PROCESS

Knowledge “I know”

Skills “I can”

Attitudes “I will”

Competence “I show”

Performance “I do”

FACILITATION

TRAINING

To Coach or accustom a mode of behavior To provide knowledge of; instruct in To carry on instruction on a regular basis

FACILITATION

The act of making easier

Increasing the likelihood or effectiveness of a behavior or a response

TRAINING VS FACILITATION-WHAT HAPPENS?

TRAINING FACILITATION

You tell and show You talk You have the knowledge You have the experience Requires more

preparation

Participants work it out Participants talk You both have the

knowledge You both have the

experience Requires less

preparation

FACILITATION

ACTIVITIES

FACILITATION ACTIVITIES

PRESENTATION DEMONSTRATION

Conveys information Lecture/ Q & A Useful for large groups Conveys lots of material

in a short time Provides an overview

Teaches a specific skill Models a step by step

approach Easy to focus

participants attention Requires planning Not useful in large

groups

FACILITATION ACTIVITIES

CASE STUDY ROLE PLAY

Written description of a situation

Participants can relate to study

Participant are involved Use of analysis and

discussion Not always one right

solution

Two or more individuals act out scenario

Helps to challenge attitudes

Spontaneous Enables participants to

explore alternative scenarios and approaches

FACILITATION ACTIVITIES

SIMULATION SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

Enactment of real-life situation

Participants are able to discover and react

High level of involvement

Applies knowledge, develops skills

Enhances problem-solving skills

Participants learn from each other

Clarifies personal values Participation encouraged Promotes teamwork

The Facilitator

s Role

THE FACILITATOR ROLE

Attending Clarifying Supporting Informing Probing Motivating Evaluation Problem Solving

THE FACILITATORS ROLE

ATTENDING CLARIFYING

Reflect before responding

Use brief responses Use phrases, terms

familiar to participants Be spontaneous

Perception checking Clarification of

alternatives Request for further

information

THE FACILITATORS ROLE

SUPPORTING PROBING

Involves actively providing feedback

Communicates feelings of security

Acknowledgement of persons feelings

Facilitators attempt to gain more information

Used to guide the discussion

Open-ended questions Exploratory in nature

MANAGING A CHALLENGING GROUP

Distracted Participant Expert Joker Late Arriver/Early Leaver Nay-sayer Quiet One Side-Bar Talker

MANAGING A CHALLENGING GROUP

Interrupter Corrector Long-Winded Grouch Prisoner

THE MEANING AND USE OF SILENCE

Attending Listening Shows support Opportunity for participants to talk Use as a method to probe Fatigue

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

Group differences Culture Ethnicity Value diversity Self-Assessment

Cultural Knowledge Cultural Awareness Cultural Sensitivity

SIX BASIC GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER! Introduce the purpose Talk about yourself and your

qualifications Provide an overview or agenda Establish ground rules Explain anticipated outcome Build trust and respect with the group

Happy Facilitating!