Art and Creative Expression in Reflection
Excerpt from Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation, Second Edition: There is great power when learners create symbols, music, words or performance to repr
The Language We Use in Facilitation and Teaching: Reflection vs. Debriefing
There’s all the difference in the world between having something to say, and having to say something. —John Dewey My March of 2013 blog post “The Language We Use in
Tips for Facilitating Meaningful Reflection
These tips will help you create an environment that encourages involvement in meaningful reflection and discussion. • Reflect throughout the experience. Reflection can we wove
Choice, Control, and Ownership in Learning and Group Experiences
When people feel like they own their learning experience and have a sense of control and ownership from the start, buy-in, and participation increases. Simple but intentional actio
Showing Appreciation and Celebrating Success
This time of year as I work with school programs to wrap up the year and facilitate final faculty professional development days, the idea of celebrating success and honoring the co
Re-Use, Repurpose, Upcycle
Upcycling is also known as creative reuse. With upcycling, an item that is no longer being used for its intended purpose but is repurposed— given a new purpose—and given added
The Improvisational Facilitator
One of the aspects of facilitation I most appreciate is the ongoing creative energy and adaptation that it both requires and inspires. I enjoy experiencing live music, of all genre
Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation
Almost ten years ago, out of the desire to share my passion for experiential education and the art and science of group facilitation, I completed the first edition of Tips & To
Guiding Your Group: A Participant Centered Approach to Facilitation and Teaching
The basic tenet of experiential education is the idea of facilitators (e.g., teachers, leaders) approaching their work as guides in the process of discovery, rather than as all-kno
Beware of the Icebreaker
Excerpt from Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation Second Edition: In chapter one, I emphasized how important it is to carefully assess your group, and be awa
Setting the Tone: Creating a Positive Environment for Learning
This is an updated version of a previous post entitled “Optimal Ingredients for Effective Group Facilitation” rewritten for the new edition of Tips & Tools for the
Attitude is Everything
Excerpt from the Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner by Jen Stanchfield. Learners respond—even subconsciously—to a facilitator’s attitudes, demeanor, and expectations. We oft
Key Ingredients for Optimal Group Building Experiences
In past articles, I have compared group facilitation to cooking. As in cooking, group facilitation allows for a great deal of room for adaptation, experimentation and adjustment of
A Tag Game That is So Much More: Practicing Collaboration, Consensus and Decision-Making Through Play
This time of year I find myself facilitating a number of student team-building programs, “step up” days where students visit their new school and new classmates for the
Choice, Control, and a Sense of Ownership
One of the tenets of experiential education is that people learn best when they perceive a sense of control, and have choice and ownership in their learning experiences. Think abou
Co-Facilitation
Those whose work requires that they lead groups with other people often share that co-facilitation is one of the most challenging aspects of their jobs, but also the most beneficia
More Ideas for Starting Your Program Off With Style: “Commonalities Mingle” Large Group Introductory Activity
In May I posted a couple of my favorite activities to get groups moving, talking, reflecting, and keep them engaged: Concentric Circles and Handshake Mingle. Both of these activiti
The Right Ingredients at the Right Time: Sequencing Group Learning Experiences
As with cooking, facilitation is an art that involves a combination of practice, observation, knowledge of theory and creativity. Effective facilitators act as a good chef does, ad
