First Steps

For the successful beginning of a learning process we suggest to keep three standard building blocks in mind. Some need assessment is suggested, then an activity on personalities, expectations, and expertise. Before starting with more in-depth work, the common principles of cooperation need to be clarified together or made transparent by the facilitator.

---

---

Needs

At the beginning of a seminar or unit start with the needs of participants, institutions and facilitators. Our opportunity is to make the seminar tailored to the participants' and stakeholders' needs and to agree about the common learning experience.

Dynamic Research

A very effective "4-minutes questionnaire" for the beginning of a training.

Expectations

Trainers and participants sometimes have different expectations and wishes towards a training. Therefore, it is needed for all involved persons to share at the beginning of the training their expectations. In this way trainers and participants can agree upon certain things and disappointments can be avoided.

Five fingers–expectations

Facilitating a conversation on expectations of participants and facilitators toward a common learning event, giving the human needs place.

Checklist: The institution

The Facilitation Mindset

Mindset in our context means the general opinion and feeling towards the learning process, the participants involved, and towards the idea of empowerment. This section supports you with tools which will help you reflect on your attitude and shape it consciously. Furthermore, it shows how attitude of empowerment during a training or seminar can express itself in a specific action.

▼

Establishing Good Working Conditions

Another basic issue is to shape the ground for good collaboration. A space for deep and holistic learning requires trust, transparency and the cooperation of all people involved. This includes the basic rules or working principles, with a collective negotiation of these rules, and as well learning the names through "name games".

▼

Personalities, Beliefs, and Expertise of Your Participants

Here we want to show some methods, how you can get to know the already existing knowledge within the group you work with, their preferred learning styles, their learning goals. It is as well the place where facilitators present their goals and offer a space for re-arrangement or negotiation.

▼

 

Navigation:

During

• First Steps
  • Needs
  • Establishing Good Working Conditions
  • Personalities, Beliefs, and Expertise of Your Participants

---

Related:

• Guidance through the Process
• Social Skills
• Evaluation