Handout
Not everyone feels comfortable in a group. Some people are shy and find it hard to speak
up. Others take over or don't pay attention. Some people just have to have it their way.
Many find it difficult to make the compromises needed to reach an agreement.
Trails to Literacy , however, needs to involve every participant actively. It will require building
the attitudes, skills and knowledge to work together in a group, as a team. These are useful
transferable work skills - skills that are useful in any job. In Trails, the learning process is just as
important as what is being learned.
The following are some things to consider when working with your Trails group:
Trails learning:
- Is based on the needs and interests of group members
- Uses each participant's knowledge, experience and skills
- Considers every participant a trainee and a trainer
- Uses practical real-life activities so participants learn by doing
Group members benefit by:
- Seeing and more clearly understanding their own goals and needs
- Becoming more aware of their own values, attitudes, skills and knowledge
- Discovering their hidden talents and abilities
- Getting experience in problem solving and decision making
- Above all, increasing their self-confidence and self-esteem.
The role of a Trails group member
As group member, you are both a facilitator (someone who makes things easier) and a
participant. As a participant, you contribute your knowledge, ideas and experiences. You also
learn from the other people. As facilitator:
- You ask, probe and listen to make sure you understand and to encourage discussion:
"What do you mean", "why do you think so?"
- You listen to other people's views and opinions: "I understand that you think."
- You give participants time to express opinions and ask others to pay attention
- You encourage everybody to contribute
- You support creative ideas
- You look for ways to get the other participants involved
- You consider carefully how others may react.
- You help guide the discussions - you may introduce a topic, bring others into it, avoid
'ganging-up' and recap regularly
