workshopswithwow

Thanks to the GRDC Extension, Adoption Training and Support Group for their top tips on how to run effective training workshops and facilitated groups. The group met in Canberra last week where we reviewed farmer decision making, personality types, extension, adoption and evaluation.

The top tips are not prioritised – they were developed during a facilitated brainstorming exercise.

Training workshops

1. Plan the event early
2. Clear training packages and outcomes
3. Topical and relevant dealing with current issues
4. Accommodate different learning styles
5. Evaluate the process
6. Follow up after the workshop – ensure learning put into practice
7. Interactive sessions – not all chalk and talk
8. Recognise the knowledge in the room and draw this into the discussion
9. Good presenters / facilitators
10. Introduce the agenda and stick to it
11. Practicality,think about – Relative advantage, trialabilty, observabilty, simplicity, compatibility
12. Good take home resources
13. Logical progression throughout the workshop
14. Venue that works

Facilitated groups

1. Establish the ground rules in an inclusive way
2. Establish the group – take the time to do this properly and build ownership in the process
3. Good facilitation skills to engage participants – ownership on driving the agenda of the group
4. Good process and skill
5. Group has purpose and expectations
6. Understand the desired overview and stick to it
7. Include everyone
8. Stick to agreed timeframes
9. Manage  the group and individuals energy
10. Review and reflect effectively
11. Evaluate
12. Good planning
13. Use a range of methods to accommodate learning styles