How to Facilitate Exercises and Group Discussions

8/3/2019 How to Facilitate Exercises and Group Discussions

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How to Facilitate Exercises and Group Discussions1

How to FacilitateExercises and

Group Discussions

(Draft)


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Objective for This Session

Participants will be able to

Identify important steps in facilitatingexercises and group discussions


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Definition of Exercises and GroupDiscussions

Exercises and group discussions arelearning activities that allowparticipants to share their

experiences and ideas, solve aproblem, and apply contentinformation. The participants do most

of the working and/or talking.


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Why Use Exercises and GroupDiscussions?

Determine participants understanding of the

content

Reinforce and clarify the content

Apply the content to real-life situations

Enhance problem-solving skills

Help participants learn from each other

Give participants a greater sense ofresponsibilit

y in the learning process

Encourage participation


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4 Steps to Facilitating SuccessfulExercises and Group Discussions

1. Prepare for,

2. Introduce,

3. Conduct, and

4. Summarize the exercise/discussion


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Facilitating Exercises


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Step 1 - Prepare for the Exercise

Review the exercise to understand it

Determine what participants will do

Determine how they will work


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Step 1 - Prepare for the Exercise(cont.)

Estimate realistic time frames for eachpart of the exercise

For example

5 minutes Introduction

10 minutes Conduct the exercise

5 minutes Summary___________

20 minutes TOTAL time


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Step 1 - Prepare for the GroupDiscussion (cont.)

Collect all of the materials, equipment,and supplies (i.e., flip charts, markers)

Set up the room ahead of time (ifpossible)

Practice giving the instructions and

leading the exercise


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Step 2- Introduce the Exercise

Provide VERY CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS

Provide instructions verbally and in writing

State the following:

Purpose of the exercise why it 6is important

How participants will work

Tasks that are to be accomplished

Time allowed for completing the tasks (stateboth number of minutes and clock time)

How the exercise will be reviewed


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Step 3- Conduct the Exercise

Manage the time

Keep participants on task

Walk around the room and check on participants

to ensure they are following the instructions Ensure that all tasks are completed

Keep exercise on time

Remind participants when certain tasks need tobe completed

Let them know when they have only 5 minutes leftand when it is time to stop


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Step 4 Review the Exercise

Review the exercise results withparticipants

Give feedback that is positive andconstructive (not critical)

Clarify questions, concerns, and problems

that occurred


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How to Facilitate Exercises and Group Discussions

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FacilitatingGroup Discussions


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Types of Group Discussions

Large group discussions

Participants from the large group are engaged in adiscussion

Sometimes they sit in a circle for the discussion Small group discussions

Participants from the large group are divided intosmall groups, where the discussions are

conducted Sometimes the small groups report their ideas

back to the large group


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Step 1 - Prepare for the GroupDiscussion

Review the discussion to understand it

Determine what participants will

discuss Determine how participants will work

(large or small group)


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Estimate realistic time frames for the following

5 minutes - Introduce group discussion

15 minutes - Conduct group discussion (estimate

how much time for each question/topic) 5 minutes - Record the information

5 minutes for each small group - Report theinformation back to the large group

5 minutes - Summarize key points


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Collect all of the materials, equipment, andsupplies and have them readily available beforethe discussion begins (i.e., flip charts, markers)

Set up the room ahead of time (if possible)

Practice giving the instructions and leading thediscussion

Determine roles needed (i.e., facilitator,recorder, reporter)


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Step 2- Introduce the GroupDiscussion

Provide VERY CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS.

Provide instructions verbally and in writing

State the following: Purpose of the discussion - why is important

How participants will work (i.e., divided into groups) What roles need to be designated (i.e., facilitator,

recorder, reporter)

Questions/topics to be discussed

Tasks to be accomplished

Time allowed for the discussion (state both number ofminutes and clock time)

How the discussion will be reviewed

Provide materials


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Step 2 Introduce the GroupDiscussion (cont.)

Designate roles (varies depending on discussion)

Discussion facilitator

Leads the discussion

Keeps the group on task Recorder

Records the comments on flip chart (if necessary)

This can be performed by the facilitator, another

trainer, or a participant

Reporter

Reports back to the large group


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Step 2- Introduce the GroupDiscussion (cont.)

Establish ground rules of the groupdiscussion:

Only one person talks at a time Only one conversation at a time (no

side conversations)

All participants should contribute

St 3 C d t th G


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Step 3- Conduct the GroupDiscussion

Facilitate the discussion

Facilitator should talk about 20% of thetime and participants 80%

Use questions (close-ended, open-ended, and probing) to help guide thediscussion

If participants do not respond, usesilence, give hints or examples, useencouraging comments

St 3 C d t th G


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Step 3- Conduct the GroupDiscussion (cont.)

Facilitate the discussion

Provide positive feedback when

participants contribute For questions from group members ask

others to share their ideas before you

answer


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Control the group discussion

Keep discussion focused on thepurpose

Manage time so that each topic iscovered

Use the parking lot for things that aretaking too much time or are getting thediscussion off track


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Manage group dynamics

Ensure one person talks at a time and thereis only one conversation at a time (no side

conversations) Encourage all participants to contribute

Promote mutual respect. Either bringconsensus or state that everyone has a rightto their view point, even if others dont agree.

If participants start to argue, maintain controlof the training and do not take sides


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Step 4- Summarize the GroupDiscussion

State the purpose of the discussion Review key points Come to a conclusion about disagreements

Clarify questions and concerns Identify common themes that were apparent

in the groups presentations

Ask participants what they learned from the

experience Ask participants how they might use what

they learned


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What Can Happen if You Dont

Follow the 4 Steps?

A lot of time can be wasted

Participants can be confused aboutwhat to expect

Things may not go as expected

Desired outcomes of the discussionmight not be achieved


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Review

What are the 4 steps for facilitatingexercises and group discussions?

What is one of the most important steps?

What are some specific things to considerwhen facilitating exercises?

What are some specific things to consider

when facilitating group discussions?

Date post:	06-Apr-2018
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How to Facilitate Exercises and Group Discussions

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