User and Facilitator Tips

Whether you are working on your own, in a group, or facilitating a course, you can use the following suggestions to help you get the most out of your experience.

If you are working alone:

• Look ahead at each session to prepare the materials you will need. Some sessions require you to rent or borrow a copy of a popular film or video.
• Identify your goals as you prepare for each session and consider how the session objectives relate to them.
• Use the questions to generate self-reflection and record your responses in a journal. Review the journal at a later date, for instance, after you have finished each session.
• Whenever possible, find colleagues or friends to help you try out the session strategies that require groups to complete.

If you are working in a group:

• Look ahead at each session to see what materials you will need, and determine who will provide the necessary materials for each session. Some sessions require you to rent or borrow a copy of a popular film or video, or to prepare materials for a hands-on activity.
• Prepare for each session by completing the readings before meeting with the group.
• Use the questions to stimulate discussion.

If you are facilitating a course:

• Make a schedule for the course and create a syllabus that explains course goals, requirements, assignments, and expected learner outcomes.
• Gather the necessary materials for each session. Some sessions require you to rent or borrow a copy of a popular film or video, or to prepare materials for a hands-on activity.
• Print and duplicate documents ahead of time.
• Have participants complete the readings prior to meeting. You may also want to ask participants to answer the Reflect on Your Experience questions before the meeting.
• Identify participants' skill levels and build from there.
• Begin with the suggested questions and continue with other questions that interest you and your participants.
• Be an active moderator. Encourage debate and discussion to help trigger ideas and focus on important issues.
• Promote reflection as a means to improving teaching.
• Allow enough time for participants to respond.
• Organize participants into different groups for different activities to give everyone a chance to work with everyone else.
• Encourage ongoing discussion even after the course has ended.

If you are facilitating a course online:

• Review the points above, many of which relate to an online version of the course.
• If possible, arrange for a learning environment (such as Blackboard or Moodle) that supports course schedules, discussion forums, and the posting of assignments.
• Review the entire course beforehand. Some activities may need to be adjusted for an all-online course. You may also want to select discussion prompts and arrange logistics of media.
• If you are new to facilitating online courses, you may want to enlist the support of someone with experience.