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