Introduction
1. Introduction
This guide outlines of some of the most important aspects of good training facilitation. You will find this guide particularly useful if you are new to what a training facilitator does and how the role differs from the role of teacher or trainer. You may also find this guide useful if you have already done some training but want to refresh your ideas and approach to facilitation. This guide also includes a basic description of some of the theory behind learning and what conditions facilitate adult learning, as well as an outline of some of the ways that trainers can enhance the content material and the training experience so that it motivates, engages and stimulates participants and finally, most importantly, ensures that learning actually does take place.
You will not become a highly skilled training facilitator by the end of the course but you certainly will understand the core qualities and techniques required of a good training facilitator and some of the tools that will help you no matter what type of subject matter you are dealing with.
All participants come with a wealth of experience and in large part this course will attempt to draw and build on this experience. Most people have been on the receiving end of good and bad training so this guide helps to draw on some of your own experiences and reflect on your own training history. We hope to help you identify and test the practical aspects of training facilitation, recognise the personal qualities needed to get the most out of the material and explore the rewards and challenges created by different situations, groups and material types.
The goal of a good training facilitator is to create good environments for learning which bring the best out of all participants and use the material to its absolute best so that meaning and sense are found and relevance assured. This guide will try to help you find your ‘voice’ and give you more confidence in leading learning groups.