ONLINE TRAINING Participatory Methods for Workshops and Meetings

People often come together to discuss, plan, evaluate, solve problems,
take decisions or share experiences in a workshop. Investing time and
thought in the design and preparation of workshops or meetings increases
their effectiveness and is essential to reach tangible outcomes. This
course is very hands-on in character and will emphasize on how to plan
and design participatory workshops and meetings with simple but
effective tools and techniques.

We will introduce participatory
methods and tools for face-to-face as well as remote workshops and
meetings and thereby create our “toolbox”, reflecting on how to use and
adapt these methods according to different objectives, contexts and
phases. Even though the focus lies on the planning and methodological
design of workshops, we will also cover facilitation aspects –
especially in the context of virtual meetings.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course participants

• have a better understanding of how to plan and design interactive workshops of different lengths, settings and purposes;
• are provided with a variety of methods for the beginning, central and final phase of workshops;
• have reflected on different workshop approaches, as well as on
  facilitators‘ roles, attitudes and skills to support participatory
  working processes.

Course Content

• Responsibilities, skills and attitudes of workshop facilitators
• Planning and preparing workshops and meetings
• Workshop design for all phases from beginning to closure
• Toolbox: methods, tools and techniques for different phases, including icebreakers and energizers
• Handling difficult situations
• Additional or adapted tools and tips for virtual meetings and workshops

What does live online training mean?

Our online trainings are not pre-recorded training videos, webinars for large audiences or self-paced e-learning courses. They are virtual live trainings
delivered by our trainers in real-time, focusing on the interaction of a
small group of remote participants. Just like our face-to-face
trainings, these virtual classrooms aim at tailoring the discussions and
learning experiences to the training needs of the participants.

Requirements:
to attend our live online trainings, a reliable high-speed internet
connection and a computer or laptop running Windows or iOS are required
(including audio and video). The Humboldt-Universität of Berlin uses the
videoconferencing platform Zoom for virtual classrooms as well as
digital tools such as Moodle. We strongly recommend an external headset
for better sound quality.

Course Methods

The course focuses on what
happens before, during and after workshops. It is a practice-based
training course where learning by doing is combined with essential
theoretical background and opportunity to exchange individual
experiences and knowledge with other peers. Participants are encouraged
to bring their own (impending) workshop cases to work on during the
course.

The virtual classroom sessions with the trainers and the
fellow participants via Zoom will be complemented by group exercises,
assignments as well as time for self-study and reflection.

Target Group

This
introductory course is designed for those with little or no experience
in the design and facilitation of workshops. However, more experienced
facilitators might refresh ideas and get new inspiration for their
face-to-face as well as virtual workshops and meetings.

Our short intensive courses promote learning through experience: ‚Learning by doing for impact‘ is the most important aspect of the SLE’s training philosophy. Our participants come from all around the globe: They include staff from development agencies, national and international NGOs, public institutions, university students and researchers, as well as professionals from the private sector. These different cultural backgrounds and professions add to an intercultural and transdisciplinary exchange of experiences within an enabling learning environment.

While there is no application deadline, there is only a limited number of places available in each course and they fill up quickly. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

Enrol now online: https://www.sle-berlin.de/index.php/en/training/sle-training-courses/apply-now