During facilitation

• At the beginning, talk about what you will cover. At the end, summarize the main points.
• Explain the purpose to tutors at the beginning or the end of each activity, or ask tutors what they think the purpose is before you explain it.
• Be aware that you are modelling the way tutors should work with their learners and make tutors aware of what you are modelling.
• When asking questions, allow some silence to give tutors the time to have thoughtful answers.
• Be open to many answers even though the “best” answer has already been given.
• Be careful to not make assumptions about the prior knowledge of tutors.
• Mention connections to other sessions or to similar activities in the same session.
• Be flexible, anticipate and adjust.
• Enthusiasm is contagious. If you are excited about what you are presenting, your tutors will also be excited.
• Use techniques with which you are comfortable. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t use it.
• Provide duotangs or binders for your tutors to put handouts in and to take notes. At the end of the training, tutors will have created their own tutor handbook.

After facilitating

• Use an evaluation form to collect feedback on the session from tutors.
• Write notes for your own use shortly after the session on what you felt went well and what you might want to change for the next training session.

Facilitation is a constant learning experience. We can be sponges as we watch others facilitate. Even those with decades of experience can continuously challenge themselves to try new approaches and gain new insights about making learning easy and engaging. We are not lone islands with the entire burden of responsibility of facilitating learning on our shoulders, because we know that “everyone teaches, everyone learns.”