The Role of the Facilitator

There are many definitions of facilitation. The word facilitator comes from the Latin facilis meaning to 'make easy', 'to lessen the labour of', 'to help forward ', 'to simplify a process'. Facilitation is helping a group meet its goals.

The facilitator therefore has a multi-faceted role:

• Creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust - admitting we don't know is an essential part of learning and admitting we don't know can be very scary, so a feeling of safety and support is vital!
  
• Helping lost travellers - when participants are lost in the program and feeling frustrated it is the role of the facilitator to lead them back to safety!
  
• Team coach - when the discussion loses its vitality and direction the facilitator coaxes, cajoles and directs the discussion forward.
  
• Trouble shooter - prevents the tyranny of the vocal and confident over the quiet or unconfident - all participants should be heard.
  
• Analyser and synthesiser - brings together the group ideas and reflects them back to the group in way that fosters unity and progresses the groups goals.

No matter how good the content, how relevant the material, how interesting the activities, the attitude and skills of the facilitator can make all the difference to the learner's experience. In return for their effort, facilitators enjoy the benefits of meeting a variety of colleagues, receive the benefits of their experience, feel the satisfaction of helping people acquire new knowledge and skill and have fun at the same time.

Qualifications for being a Facilitator

Subject matter competency

The facilitators have personally achieved the learning goals of the workshop. NOTE: This does NOT mean that the facilitator is an "expert" on the topic, but it does mean they should have basic competencies. The Facilitator refers "tricky questions" to the expert panel for advice.

Orientation

The Facilitator is familiar with the educational resources and program, and how to navigate around the online environment.

Small group experience

The Facilitator has had previous experience in leading small group learning.

Learning Activities

Learning Units

Each 15-minute unit has its own learning goals. Units come in a variety of learning styles including:

• Resource material in the form of lectures and lecture notes,
  
• Case discussions,
  
• Practice reflections,
  
• Self-assessment activities,
  
• Clinical tools to implement improvements in practice.
  

Units are combined into learning workshops or modules, which may be accessed online or undertaken in local small groups or at formal clinical education meetings.

For information about different unit types, go to the 'Help' section.