Inspiration
To be inspired means to be stimulated to take action. To get surprised. To discover opportunities, to combat challenges. To be encouraged to make an effort, to feel enthusiastic and self-confident. Inspiration comes from the inside and is a mirror of an individual's spiritual state, desires, and expectations.
Contents
What is not inspiring
- When you overwhelm your learners with a lot of ideas or opportunities that they don’t understand (yet).
- When you direct a cognitive process too forcefully and participants don’t discover the whole range of opportunities that might otherwise appear to them.
- When you evaluate your learners’ ideas as adequate, reflective, or utopian. Evaluation at this point is limiting, whereas inspiration presents opportunity.
What is inspiring:
Beliefs and Values |
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Teacher's/facilitator's attitude |
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Actions toward participants |
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How far does inspiration go?
As a facilitator, you can inspire learners to assume active social positions in different ways – either smoothly, almost invisibly, or explicitly. What you choose depends on the learners’ needs and on your personality.
Retentive involvement |
Let things be. Devote time, attention, and appreciation. |
Ask questions, support people in taking new directions |
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Moderate involvement |
Name strengths and potentials, help to uncover resources |
Address socially relevant issues openly, foster critical thinking |
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Make your values clear and follow them rigorously |
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Strong involvement |
Be a role model, share personal stories of engagement |
Invite others to engage with what you enjoy |
Source
- M. Gawinek-Dagargulia, E. Skowron, N. Zimmermann (Ed.): Steps toward Action; Empowerment for self-responsible initiative; Help your learners to discover their vision and to turn it into concrete civic engagement; Facilitator Handbook #1; MitOst Editions 2016
M. Gawinek-Dagargulia, E. Skowron,
N. Zimmermann
Steps toward action
First handbook of our Handbooks for Facilitators: Read more