Online Facilitation Skills Programme - 1 September - 9 November

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. I
deal 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

Group email
The virtual programme venue starts with a new email group. The group email is used for questions, comments and reflections about how participants are experiencing working online. The group email is used in this way through out the programme as well as for specific tasks each week.

Forum
The phpBB platform is one of the more popular open source forum tools around (www.phpBB.com). The phpBB forum is used for specific conversations, often related to our weekly topic and also to the weekly programme readings.

Skype
Skype (www.skype.com) is used for pair conversations and also for audio conference calling.

Blog
The programme blog is setup for for specific conversations where initial postings are made by the session facilitator and comments are added by participants.
Second Life
Second Life (www.secondlife.com) is an interactive 3D world where people can interact with each other using an avatar or a virtual character. Participants create their own virtual character and meet in Second Life to explore different aspects of facilitating in online 3D interactive environments.
Video conferencing
The HotConference (www.hotconference.com) video conferencing tool is used for facilitated conversations related to weekly topics.


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 >>>
   
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.

  © Zenergy www.zenergyglobal.com zenergy@xtra.co.nz