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Effective Group Facilitation in Education
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Effective Group Facilitation in Education
How to Energize Meetings and Manage Difficult Groups


March 2004 | 224 pages | Corwin

Practical pointers for maximizing meetings and motivating team members!

At their worst, meetings can waste time, lack focus, foster a combative spirit, or be just plain boring. At their best, meetings can be a positive, dynamic experience that nurtures individual strengths while inspiring teamwork to successfully accomplish an established task. The fate of a meeting lies in the skill of the facilitator, and this easy-to-use guide has all the tips and tools necessary to make you shine in this challenging role.

Anyone charged with navigating a group of people toward a desired objective will benefit from this book's indispensable features, which include:

  • Templates for easy implementation at every stage of the facilitation process
  • Straightforward tactics for managing difficult participants and emotionally charged situations
  • Realistic examples to help you avoid pitfalls
  • Surefire methods for delegating in a meaningful and respectful manner

From pre-meeting preparation, to the meeting's critical first few minutes, to its conclusion and beyond, this manual provides step-by-step guidance for the entire facilitation process. It is packed with proven do's and don'ts based on psychological principles, research, real-life experience, and field-tested best practices. The user-friendly strategies focus on such key areas as team building, brainstorming, motivating, overcoming problematic situations, reaching goals, and assessing results.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. What am I Getting Into?
Why do We Get People Together to Meet?

 
When Do We Use Teams?

 
The Impact of a Facilitator on the Effectiveness of a Group

 
The Unique Position of a Group Facilitator

 
Internal Versus External Facilitators

 
Characteristics of Effective Facilitators

 
Your Mission as a Facilitator

 
Summary

 
 
2. Get Ready, Get Set...
The Importance of Planning to a Successful Session

 
Factors to Take Into Consideration When Planning Meetings

 
Breaking the Meeting Tasks Into Parts

 
Planning for the Effective Delivery of Directions

 
Summary

 
 
3. Go
Setting the Proper Tone for a Meeting

 
The Use of Music

 
Foundation-Setting Activities

 
Good News

 
The Use of Framing

 
Active Learning Strategies

 
Watching Team Member Behaviors During the Start of a Meeting

 
Opening the Session

 
Setting Norms and Ground Rules

 
Summary

 
 
4. Connecting All Members of the Team
Interdependence/Community and Its Importance to Team Operation

 
Community

 
Team Building

 
Conflict Resolution

 
Conflict and Chaos

 
Protecting Team Members During the Decision-Making Process

 
Protecting Team Members When Announcing the Results of Their Decisions

 
Keeping Uninvolved Stakeholder Groups Informed About Decision Progress

 
Summary

 
 
5. Reaching Peak Performance: Connecting Their Minds
The Need to Minimize/Maximize Energy

 
Diagnosing Group Energy

 
Working/Processing Combinations

 
Grouping and Regrouping Strategies

 
Other Group Processing Strategies

 
Summary

 
 
6. Working the Brain
Brainstorming Techniques

 
Brainstorming Strategies and Ideas

 
Summary

 
 
7. Reaching the Goal
The Problem with Goals

 
Typical Issues Inhibiting Goal Implementation Success and Facilitator Implications

 
Other Important Considerations for Success in the Goal Process

 
Summary

 
 
8. Putting On Your Oxygen Mask
Important Factors for Facilitators to Track

 
Importance of Self-Protection

 
Understanding Your Role as the Group Facilitator

 
Use of Positive Presuppositions

 
Gesturing

 
Use of Charts, Papers and Other Visuals to Deflect Anger

 
Use of Positioning in the Room

 
Developing an Exit Plan

 
Reflect Emotions/Content Back to the Group

 
Summary

 
 
9. Transforming a Difficult Group
What is a Difficult Group?

 
Problem People

 
Identification Strategies

 
Starting a Session

 
Music and Difficult Groups

 
Foundation-Setting Activities

 
Framing

 
Use of an Agenda

 
Summary

 
 
References
 
Index
Key features
  • Research based, using adult development and learning, cognitive coaching, Essential Elements of Instruction, brain and neural-linguistic studies, and power and influence
  • Includes practical strategies from the field, using experienced facilitators
  • Demonstrates how to adapt strategies to specific situations

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1: What Am I Getting Into?


For instructors

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