A group facilitator ACTS to promote
effective group learning:
Acknowledges every useful contribution
to the discussion —
The way in which a facilitator or group members respond to statements made will
either foster meaningful discussion or make it fail.
A facilitator can use
affirming responses, participatory responses or paraphrasing to encourage groups
to delve deeper into an issue.
Clarifies what is being said —
“Now am I understanding you to say…?”
Takes issues to the group as a means
of generating discussion instead of being the answer person. An effective
facilitator might ask,
“What does everyone else think about what was just said?”
Summarizes key points —
“So far it seems like you are saying…” or
“Could someone summarize the major
points so far in our discussion?”
