8/24 BITES

The facilitator’s role in social learning

This module is a part of a larger collection of bite-sized learning on facilitating social learning spaces.

This collection of learning bites was created by Danida Fellowship Centre together with Beverly and Etienne Wenger-Trayner and produced by Grape and Brand By Hand. Photos used in the collection were taken by @Crawfurd Media, @E Pictures Media Ltd, @Daniel Samwel and Danida Fellowship Centre, supplemented with Stock Photos.

Try this instead

Facilitating a social learning space often means unlearning a few habits. Here are some of the things facilitators typically do – and what you might try instead.

When you normally…

Try this instead

Feel pressure to fill an awkward silence

Say nothing or let there be a long pause
– then say: “I notice we’re quiet. Does anyone want to share what’s on their mind?”

Start with a presentation

Start with a question or a personal story
– yours or someone else’s

Ask general questions like “Any comments?”

Ask something specific: “What challenged you in that?” or “Where did you feel stuck?”

Highlight confident voices first

Invite quieter participants or ask: “Does someone with a different view want to speak?”

Stick to the agenda even when energy shifts

Adapt and stay in the discussion

Try to “wrap up” a messy conversation

Leave it open: “This might still be unresolved — and that’s okay. What did we learn? What shall we put on the parking lot?”

Keep control of the conversation or take the expert role

Model curiosity: “That reminds me of a time I really wasn’t sure what to do…”

Rely on a feedback form

Talk to people in the room about how it’s going for them. Ask people directly – preferably individually or in small groups. When appropriate, invite people to take a lead in doing that next time.

Include a question on the form about the quality of the facilitation

Ask specific questions you would like feedback on in relation to you as the facilitator of a social learning space.

Try this instead

Use this link to download the “Try this instead” document.

Try this instead.pdf 185.3 KB Download

Reflection exercise: What does it mean to facilitate lightly?

30 seconds reflection:
Think about a time when you facilitated — or observed someone else facilitate a conversation or a session.

What did the facilitator do that helped people open up?
Was there a moment when the energy shifted – and how was it handled?
How did the facilitator’s mindset (controlling vs. engaged) affect the group?