About
the Programme
Online Facilitation is an intensive and practical 10-week skill development
programme. The programme is based on the Zenergy person centered facilitation
approach. Its goal is to provide participants with the skills and
capabilities necessary to facilitate online groups to achieve their
purpose. Ideal
for those who are serious about improving their online facilitation
skills. Participants actively engage in email and discussion forum
conversations as well as exploring web collaboration tools.
The programme is structured over 10 weeks. Each week will have a facilitation
focus. The weekly topics include:
Week 1 Introduction,
facilitation and the role of the facilitator
Week 2 Purpose and culture
Week 3 Facilitating yourself and Facilitating another
Week 4 Facilitating a group
Week 5 Shifting levels and Half way review
Week 6 Dialog and storytelling
Week 7 Addressing conflict
Week 8 Getting to consensus
Week 9 Applications
Week 10 Self & peer assessment
Evaluation and Completion
The programme
involves 4-6 hours per week engaged in a mix of reading, peer work
and group discussion. There are no fixed times for particular sessions,
however there will be some tasks to complete by the end of each week.
Much of the programme is asynchronous (different-time). We will be
using different tools such as email, an online forum, Skype,
video conferencing, blogging and Second Life (www.secondlife.com).
During the programme we will do some real-time conferencing that will
be at fixed times. These times will be negotiated with the group to
allow as many people as possible to participate.
Course
content and approach
In this programme, online facilitation is explored through group interaction,
reflection, and practice of the Zenergy person-centered approach.
The programme provides a person-centred framework (philosophy and
methodology) and experiential skills training in online facilitation.
This includes the Zenergy model of group facilitation and a framework
for generating alignment and co-creation with groups and teams. The
approach taken is hands-on and highly experiential. Over the 10 weeks
participants are coached and receive feedback from Zenergy's experienced
programme leaders, and the other participants, as they facilitate
the group.
Required
reading
Participants of this programme will be given access to relevant chapters
in the new edition of The Art
of Facilitation by Dr.
Dale Hunter published by Random House NZ, 2007.
Expected outcomes
Key aspects of
the programme are:
- Identifying
the unique aspects of facilitating online groups
- Applying the
Zenergy person-centered approach online
- Exploration
and application of a range of facilitation processes
- Exploring the
use of online text-based, audio and video tools
Who
should attend
Online facilitation is a key skill for anyone involved in working
with distributed teams and in the online domain. This includes:
- Managers, virtual
team leaders and consultants who are interested in extending their
skill repertoire and being exposed to more effective ways of working
with online groups
- Trainers of
distance education, online training and online education
- Online community
moderators who want to improve the effectiveness of their community
- Those facilitating
in online group spaces
- Facilitators-in-training
who are interested in adding online facilitation to their skill
set
System
requirements
- PC
running Windows XP or 2000
(with DirectX 9.0 for video conferencing).
- Internet
connection (broadband is best).
- Speakers
and microphone - built-in or separate.
- To
join the video conferencing you'll need a computer with at least
a 1GHz processor, 256 MB RAM and a webcam.
- We
also recommend that you have at least a 400 MHz processor, 128 MB
RAM and 50 MB free disk space on your hard drive.
The
tools we will use
Comments
from previous participants
It
was phenomenal and really illuminating. I am so excited about putting
it more into practise … I enjoyed exploring the different media
as I would never have given all those different things a go if it
wasn't in structured format. I can see its uses as an educational
tool.
Laurel Freeland, The Zone, Dalesford, Australia
We
have developed tools to become potent online facilitators. Now we
just need to use, develop, and refine our skills.
Rebecca Whiting, The Families Commission, Wellington, New Zealand
This
program gives me a chance to look at facilitation in a different way.
Xiaomu Guo, ORBIS International, Shanghai, China
I
have really found value in using the different media available online,
and comparing the different levels of 'connection' afforded by each
one. I have also found this whole course tremendously useful in heightening
my awareness of the potential for online communication.
Christine Toner, Business Coach and Facilitator, Christchurch, New
Zealand
The introduction of previously unknown skills
and techniques required for online facilitation have been skilfully
woven into the fabric of this program and have succeeded in opening
the flower of opportunity for me and I am sure this is the case for
the rest of our group.
Rick Sommerford, Trainer, Assessor & Facilitator, Perth, Western
Australia
I
know several hundred % more now about online facilitation and its
tools.
Berylla Jones, Murchison Community Resource Centre, Nelson, New Zealand
Programme
Leaders
Programme leaders
are experienced facilitators who are part of the Zenergy Team and
work together to create Zenergy's leading edge technology.
 |
Stephen
Thorpe
Stephen Thorpe is a group facilitator specialising in the online
domain. With a background in researching online facilitation,
computer assisted group work and lecturing he assists facilitators,
leaders and groups to effectively work together online. He loves
to assist people to develop the core skills for facilitating online.
more >>> |
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Dale
Hunter
Dr. Dale Hunter is a group facilitator, mediator, coach and author
in the field of facilitation. Her work includes conferences, public
meetings, conflict resolution, team building and individual coaching.
more >>> |
Dates
The programme will start on Monday 1 September and runs through until
9 November 2008.
Tuition
NZ$1250 (inc GST). ~US$980, ~CAN$935, ~€630, ~£495, ~AU$1080 (inc GST), ~SGD$1240, ~CNY6260.
Plus you will need 4-6 hours of your time per week over the 10 week
programme.
What
to do next
To register for this programme now click
here.
To view Zenergy's other programme dates click
here.
