Small Group Facilitation Presentation Methods

Small group facilitation presentations are designed to give participants the chance to contribute – not the facilitator. As the facilitator, you may contribute but you are not a presenter or lecturer.

What you need to know:

Basic structured facilitation,
Experiential learning methodologies,
Facilitation theories,
Fast Facilitation Guidelines
Team facilitation strategies,
Drama in education,
Small group techniques.

When to use smaller groups.

1. When you want to ensure high participation;

2. Team facilitation: looking for solutions and you want to maximize experience and wisdom;

3. Overcome shyness;

4.Practise leadership roles;

5.Brainstorming;

6.Build relationships, trust and openness;

7.You are looking for different focuses;

8.Cross culture, race, age differences.

Basic Small Group Facilitation Presentation Structure.

ABC of structured group facilitation

Introduce theme/ outcomes and use a ice breaker to warm up the group and create a relaxed atmosphere;

Divide the group into smaller groups using either a divider game or choosing carefully who you put together. There will be an article about this soon;

Give each group instructions;

The group presents;

Appreciative inquiry, dialog/ reflection;

Feedback;

Large group summary/ Closing.

Small Group Facilitation Presentation Methods.

1.Role Plays

2.Image Theater

3.Song/ Dance

4.Advert

5.Visual

Unpacking and Appreciative Inquiry

Engage the larger group in thought provoking open ended questions.
Reflect and draw out participation.

Reflect and engage in appreciative inquiry to deepen the exploration. Personalize and relate the issues to their own lives. Help them to discuss their feelings.Empower them to look for solutions.

Only at the end do the group come out of the photograph and replay the real event. They can replay the event as it happened or explore alternatives.

Check in with the people whose stories were told. It can raise many personal issues.

Questions to ask:

What were your challenges?
What excited you?
What do you think worked for you?
How did you overcome obstacles?
How do you feel now?
What will you do differently next time?

Example of a small group facilitation presentation method.

1. Break them into small groups of 4-6 people.

2. Each is to tell of a time that they were hurt , a time when they felt a loss of power.

3. Choose one story. One person is chosen as a photographer. The others replay the story as it happened.

4. 'SNAP' The photographer takes an imaginary photo at the moment when the greatest hurt or frustration was experienced. The group freeze the moment like a chicken in a freezer.

5. This photograph is presented to the larger group.

The facilitator ask questions:

What is happening?
Who are the characters?
What are the emotions and thoughts in different characters?

Encourage a variety of interpretations. Each interpretation will raise issues that the teenagers are facing. Use this as a catalyst for dialog.

Support , Feedback & Follow Up

Support and Follow UpWhat support is in place if the themes raised in the presentation are issues people are facing in their lives. This is especially important if themes are around violence and prejudice?

Feedback

Feedback from audience

What worked?
What could the group do differently?
What 2 improvements are suggested?

Or use the REIR method. (REDUCE,ELIMINATE, INCREASE, RETAIN)

Facilitator can now give feedback summarizing everyones points.

Feedback from presenters.

Give time for presenters to give comment.

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