All of the effort you and others will put into organizing a workshop has one primary end - learning. The participants will be learning about the workshop topics, about themselves and their AFS roles, and about the other participants and the organization that binds them together. Your primary role will be facilitating the learning that takes place.
The attached guide will cover the basics of facilitating an effective workshop. The same that is said of teaching can be said of workshop facilitation. It is both a science and an art. Much of this information will address the "science" of facilitation. There are standards that can be followed in preparing for and running a workshop. These are skills that can be learned and used over and over again. The "art" of facilitating workshops comes from your own inspiration. There are a myriad of creative choices that a facilitator can make when working with participants. As you gain experience, you will see how the science and art continually come together as mutually supportive strands of effective facilitation.
The topics include:
- Preparing for the workshop
- Facilitating for different learning styles
- Creating a learning environment
- Communicating effectively
- Achieving the workshop goals
- Evaluating the results
The contents are designed to be useful reminders as you prepare for and facilitate any workshop!