"The word 'dialogue' means 'words between us.' The word 'facilitate' means 'to make easy'. Your role as facilitator is to make those words between easy (43).
Do you agree with the author that this your role as a facilitator? How can a facilitator create an atmosphere that encourages a dialogue rather than a monologue? Provide an example of how you have encouraged dialogue in a learning environment either through the course design, environment of the room or communication between you and your learners or provide an example of training you have received which does the same.
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That’s a clever definition “make words between us easy” but it doesn’t seem very instructive in the practical sense.
ReplyDeleteI see a facilitator as one who creates the right environment & conditions where people are encouraged to learn. This week (my thinking evolves) I’m of the opinion that for learning to take place the facilitator must first *stop talking.* Ask insightful questions. Create engaging activities that help people construct their own ideas. Challenge learners to examine and analyze and provide feedback to each other. Anything--but gabbing at folks on and on.
But, you know, I could be wrong...
--Patrick
C'mon by my blog...it’s free!
http://edae692.blogspot.com/
A lot of what the book talks about is using open questions rather than yes or no questions or recall questions. Open questions call for some thought and reflection on the part of the participants.
ReplyDeleteIn the therapy assistant program, where I teach, we encourage alot of problem solving, treatment planning, and evaluation skills.
ReplyDeleteSure many of our classes and labs have traditional lecture components, but often the students are creating plans, working in groups, leading group "therapy" sessions, etc.
The environment has always been one in which the students feel free to share their thoughts. Often there is not 1 right way to plan or conduct a therapy treatment, so there is often alot of sharing of ideas as well as offering constructive criticism both from the instructor as well as peers.
Personally, as a learner and as a trainer, I like having both components. I believe it is especially important in fields that involve a lot of people skills that the facilitator incorporate the group activities that provide problem solving and planning opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI like the definition by the author! I think we, as instructors/teachers/facilitators, can get stuck on doing all the talking. I do see our role as "facilitating the discussion". We have to be able to facilitate the dialogue between the participants - sometimes it can get heated out there!! and sometimes we have to reel them back in to the topic. I definitely agree with asking the open ended questions!!
ReplyDeleteI love a good "spirited discussion" as long as it's on topic. Perks everyone right up. I think part of our job as facilitators is to ask those questions that engage people on an emotional as well as intellectual level.
ReplyDelete--Patrick
C'mon by my blog...It's itching for a fight!
http://edae692.blogspot.com/
Now I know the alias for Priddle!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if facilitator goes along with educational philosophy. I tend towards being a facilitator because I like to draw learning out by guiding and allowing each learner to connect with the content in their unique way. The instructional design will support this type of learning.