Written by Mekong Institute

The course consists of 10 modules, which were covered fundamentals of the facilitation skill and program management. In brief the content of each module was reviewed as follows:

Module 1: Setting the context

This module is essential for enabling free and open participation right from the start of the training program. This session helps trainers to prepare the groundwork, break the ice and give the overvew of the training workshop and adult learning principle. This module has 5 sessions: getting to know each other, setting the context (contents and methodology), exploring expectations, developing norms, and benchmark facilitaton. The benchmarking session were recorded in video so that the participants can review their own performance and assess their pre-workshop faclitaton and curriculum development skills.

Module 2: Participatory Approach in Training program Management

The concept of participation in training course management is introduced in this module through learning games and guided plenary disucussions. Participants are given an active role iin the design, redesign and decision-making in all stages of te training cycle. Participatory training is designed to be learn-centered rather than trainer-centered. At the end of the module participants were able to differentiate tradtional training methods with participatory training methods.

Module 3: Modular Training Cycle and Integrated Curriculum

This module illustrates the modular training approach (Learn to do, do to learn, and share to learn) and futuristic alternative concept of integrated curriculum. The types of learning include cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning. This modue includes sessions on: Adult learning principle and basis elements of modular training program, Integrated Curriculum and Module Development Guidelines

Module 4: Introduction to Planing a Training Course

Participants are guided on planning a participatory training course programs and designing workshops. Participants learn new concepts, methods and tools and go through real practcal experience n applying these principles and methods in MI training sessions.

Module 5: Roles of a Facilitator and Required Competencies

This module focuses on facilitation fundamentals and the main roles of a facilitator: content neutral, process guide and integrator of results. It further elaborates on the required core competencies of a modern trainer/facilitator: This module has three sessions: Practicing being content neutral and process guide, Roles of Facilitator, and required skills, knowledge and attitude for Masterful Facilitator. Case scenarios to show the technical, methodological, social and personal challenges for a facilitator were given. Small group were tasked to show through role play how they will overcome such challenges.

Module 6: Facilitation Tool kits

This module demonstrates the use of different interactive facilitation methods and supporting tools n delivering MI learning packages. The participants go through learning experience in designing different kinds of interventon, using creative process, and utilizing appropriate tools. Partcipants learned and praciticed using VIPP facilitation tools and techniques.

Module 7: Practicing Facilitation Skills

This module gives practical tips on the airt of facilitation and making oral presentations. Participants’ facilitation skills were challenged through analysis of case scenarios. Through role play, they presented ideas on how they would handle such challenging situations. Do’s and Don’ts of facilitation were recognized. Videos of partcipants taken on the first day of the training course were presented to encourage self-reflection. Each participant provided comments on how he or she would improve his/her presentation and facilitation skills.

Module 8: Field Work Facilitation

This module focuses on practicing how to plan and conduct a fieldwork and share their experiences and knowledge gained from the field work. An actual field visit to an organic farming village allowed participants to interact with organic vegetable growers. Participants were challenged how to apply participatory methods and facilitation skills learned in “inside classroom settings” into real lfe village situations. A guided duscussion to synthesize and reflect expeiences gained from the field work served as basis for improving facilitation skills.

Module 9: Strengthening Team Work

Participatory training courses are best implemented through a team of facilitators. This module allowed participants to analyze the various elements necessary to strengthen a team of facilitators. A learning game challenged te participants’ creativety and team dynamics in order to overcome te task given to them. Particpants reflected on the importance of team work on the performance of a facilitation team. Stages of the team building process were reviewed. Additiona reflectons were encouraged through photo analysis and group discussion.

Module 10: Integrating Skills and Way forward

This module focuses on the integration of different sets of facilitation skills and knowledge in work situations sucas working groups, sectoral meetings, dialogues, and multi-stakeholder consultations. Participants go through exercise on how to mange different training scenarios, promote full participation, handle difficult group dynamics, foster inclusive solutions and ensure participatory decision-making. Participants prepare an action plan and apply participatory methods and facilitation skills learned from the training to their future work at the Mekong Institute. The final evaluation of the training was doen using InWEnt standard end-of-workshop evaluatin forms and techniques.