This is an introduction to the few basic components that help facilitator reach the goals of holistic learning and plan a training. For the beginning 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. And finally, any phase of acquisition needs time for reflection, which is, in turn, the basis for the next steps towards the learning goals.
First Steps
At the beginning of a seminar 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.
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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".
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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.
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Work on a topic
It may seem you have spent a lot of time doing other things before working on the “real content,” but all those steps are necessary elements that enable you and your participants to create a good learning experience. While working on the content it is important to provide the participants with a lot of different learning opportunities and use a mixed style of methods.
Cooperative work on a topic can be achieved through moderation techniques and the attitude of a moderating facilitator. All about moderation, energy, or visual support of learning processes.
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Cooperative learning encourage participants to speak, to listen and to interact with each other. However, communication can be disturbed from different reasons. But on the other hand, there are tools to increase comprehensibility, to negotiate interests and to deal with conflicts in a constructive way.
Reflection
Conducting a workshop or a training is a complex process that requires the facilitator’s attention to many aspects. There are very different issues that need to be subject of holistic reflection, namely the competency development and assessment, the management and organization, the cooperative learning, and the personal well-being and need assessment of the individuals.
Evaluation aims at measuring the effectiveness and the impact of the educational program we have offered. It should also help to identify the strengths and shortcomings of the program for the purpose of further development. In this section of Competendo you will find lists, methods, and specific tools for the evaluation of courses, seminars or sessions.
