Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Principles,Training
and Facilitation skills
Session Objectives:
By the end of today’s session, participants will have:
Reflected on past learning experiences and trainer skills
Learned basic principles of adult learning to design and deliver
training
Understood the importance of using adult learning in training
sessions
Reviewed how to create a safe environment for training and
explored its impact on the learning process
Discussed how to use effective facilitation techniques
Identified different teaching methods and when and how to apply
them in trainings
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Group Reflection Activity
Describe your best
learning experience.
What made this
experience so good?
Take 5 minutes to
discuss and write
down your analysis
and share it with the
group.
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Learning from Self reflection
Activity
While knowledge of the subject is as
important for effective training, learning is
often a result of:
how trainers communicate with learners and
how trainers help to facilitate communication
among participants.
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How Adults Learn…
RESPECT
IMMEDIACY
EXPERIENCE
20% hear
40% hear & see
80% do
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5 Principles of Adult Learning
1. Adults feel anxious if participating in a group
makes them look weak, either professionally or
personally.
2. Adults bring a great deal of experience and
knowledge to any learning situation.
3. Adults are decision-makers and self-directed
learners.
4. Adults are motivated by information or tasks that
they find meaningful.
5. Adults have many responsibilities and can be
impatient when their time is wasted.
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1. Adults feel anxious if participating in a
group makes them look weak.
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1. Adults feel anxious if participating in a
group makes them look weak.
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2. Adults bring a great deal of experience and
knowledge to any learning situation.
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2. Adults bring a great deal of experience
and knowledge to any learning situation.
Show respect for participants’ experiences by asking them to
share ideas, opinions, and knowledge.
Recognize that participants are a good resource for reaching
your goals.
An assessment of participants experiences and knowledge
can tell you more about them.
Can be done before or on first day of training with a short
questionnaire.
Or done orally during introductions or with an activity (e.g.,
“Stand-up/Sit down”)
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3. Adults are decision-makers and self-
directed learners.
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3. Adults are decision-makers and self-
directed learners.
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4. Adults are motivated by information or tasks
that they find meaningful.
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4. Adults are motivated by information or tasks
that they find meaningful.
Conduct needs assessment so that you are aware of:
What people want (and need) to learn.
How much they already know.
Needs related to learning styles.
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5. Adults have many responsibilities and can be
impatient when their time is wasted.
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5. Adults have many responsibilities and can
be impatient when their time is wasted.
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Four Adult Learning Styles
Experiencers
(Feelers)
Observers
Innovators
(Doer’s)
Analyzers
(Thinkers)
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Training Activities for Experiencers
Games
Role plays
Brainstorming
Interviews
Discussion
Hands-on exercises
18
Training Activities for Observers
Lectures
Demonstrations
Videos
Visual Aids
Modeling
Exhibits
Instruments
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Training Activities for
Innovators/Doers
Projects
Role plays
Hands-on,
experimental
exercises
Action plans
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Training Activities for Analyzers
Lectures
Case studies
Readings
Journaling
Visualization
Programmed
instruction
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Blending Styles
Well-known saying in teacher training courses:
I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
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Reflection Activity
Take a moment to
remember a good
trainer – someone
you knew recently or
long ago.
In your opinion,
what 1 or 2 personal
characteristics made
him/her an effective
trainer?
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Traits of a Strong Facilitator
Understands group dynamics
Subtly manages disruptive behaviors
Reflects back participant comments to clarify and confirm that
they understand what participant is saying– never assumes
understanding
Does not allow personal biases, opinions, experiences to enter
into the discussion
Sensitive to different cultural approaches
Empathetic and non-judgmental
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Traits of a Strong Facilitator (cont)
Enthusiastic and positive (“I’m glad you’re here/I’m glad I’m
here” attitude)
Flexible– can change agenda according to group’s
needs/responses
Has knowledge of topic
Uses language that the group understands
Utilizes a variety of teaching methods
Draws on experience of individual’s in the group
Manages time and agenda
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Effective Training Skills
Teaching Methods
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Creating an Effective Training
Environment
Table/desk set-up (small rounds or horseshoe)
Groundrules
Warm-Up/Introductions/Ice-breakers
Effective facilitation- create relaxed atmosphere
Small group work
Neutral space
Greet participants
Role of participants at training
Energizers after lunch
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Facilitation Skills: Listening
Responses
Non-verbal listening skills
Eye-contact
Encouraging gestures/posture
Addresses all participants equally
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Facilitation Skills: Ways to Ask
Questions
Open – Questions that elicit long descriptive answers
and generate discussion.
Start with words like what, why, how, and
describe
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Facilitation Skills: Giving Feedback
Feedback is an integral part of adult learning
Feedback is directed at skills, not personal
characteristics
Feedback is not negative criticism
Feedback combines both what worked well
during training and what could be improved
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Facilitation Skills: Characteristics
of Effective Feedback
Feedback should be specific, not general
statements
Feedback should be given at the time of
learning rather than later. The sooner, the
better
Give feedback in a “feedback masala dosa:”
Positive observation
Constructive critical observation or suggestion
Second positive observation, summary statement
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Facilitation Skills: Characteristics of
Effective Feedback
Ask the learner for his/her own reaction or
opinion
What do you think you did well?
What do you wish you had done better?
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Facilitation Skills: Feedback “Do’s”
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Facilitation Skills: Feedback
“Don'ts”
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Facilitation Skills: Receiving
Feedback
Try not to become defensive; listen with
openness – ACTIVE LISTENING
Focus on the specific suggestions you are
receiving
Separate facts from opinions
Form an action plan to improve
Ask questions about the feedback if you
are unclear or would like more information
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Key Points
Concepts of respect, immediacy, and experience
need to be applied when helping adults learn
There are 4 main adult learning styles
None are “better” than the other
Goal is to use a blend of methods to reach the greatest
number of adult learners
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Key Points
A strong facilitator is:
Well versed in the topic
Empathetic, non-judgmental, respectful
Enthusiastic and flexible
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Thank You!
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