THE ROLE OF FACILITATOR AND PARTICIPANTS

THE ROLE OF FACILITATOR

What Is Facilitation ? To facilitate means to make easier. The facilitator oils the tracks for groups to work effectively in meetings

Why Use Facilitation? a) To keep meetings focused on the subject of discussion b) To have a neutral person who will manage the process c) To accomplish goals in a more timely manner d) To give the group the sense of accomplishment

The Role of Facilitator The opener: initiates discussions/facilitates better communication if the group Is already talking The legitimizer: reminds all parties to recognize the right of others to express opinions and be involved into discussion. The Process Facilitator: lays down ground rules for the meeting and often formally leads the discussion, especially in the early sessions. The Trainer : educates participants who may lack skills or preparation in the process of negotiation and problem solving. The Resource Expander: provides procedural assistance to the groups and links them to outside resources that may lead to more informed or varied viewpoints. The Problem Explorer: examines the variety of viewpoints and helps the group achieve consensus. The Agent of Reality: uses critical as well as creative thinking to question and challenge group members who have extreme and unrealistic goals. The Leader: mobilizes the group resources to achieve goals.

The Facilitator Is Responsible For: ensuring participation (lead discussion rather than be conversation cops) handling silences (formulating discussion provoking questions) helping the group maintain focus, knowing when to move/slow down avoiding repetition dealing with problem people meeting everyone means establishing a positive tone allowing students to gain comfort in discussing a complex set of issues in the group

Examples of Facilitating Questions: prompting questions–help students organize their thoughts and make connections with other ideas and elements of the text justifying questions-require that students provide evidence for their opinions or arguments clarifying questions –check comprehension/verify understanding comparative questions –require drawing parallels/contrasts with other readings connective questions –establish links with materials from students experience/other readings extension questions-help students explore the implications of their responses

Learning Outcomes students will be challenged to understand why they think/feel the way they do about the book (critical thinking) students will learn to use active listening techniques while engaging in group discussion (practical competencies) students will express their own opinion on a particular subject, recognizing there are multiple perspectives (practical competencies appreciation of human difference)

THE ROLE OF PARTICIPANTS

The Participants are Responsible For: I. Reading the book II. Punctuality

I. When you read a story…

Think About It focus on the characters, the events, and how you feel about them make predictions – about what will happen next (and read on to find out if you are right) picture it in your head – try to see all the events, the characters and the settings as they are described.

Ask Yourself Questions Why did he or she do that? What do you I think will happen next? What usually happens in stories like this? How will the story end? Can I picture this character? What words helped me to do this? Can I picture this setting? What words helped me to do this? Can I picture this event? What words helped me to do this? What feelings do I have? Why do I feel like that? What parts of the story did I like best? Why?...

Make Notes Set up a reading log, where you can write down your thoughts and feelings about a story as you read it. The notations may be brief, usually just sufficient to remind you of the idea.

II. Participants should follow some rules… It is a good idea to discuss all of them at the first meeting. The discussion might include issues of punctuality. At what time will meetings begin and end? What are the expectations of the group members regarding level and consistency of participation (what if members have to miss a session? What if they miss several in a row? What if someone only comes once in a while?) How will we deal with the cost issues? Are guests allowed? Meeting place? Food?