Home

Think back to the last training session you attended or team meeting you had at work. How would you describe that experience? Did time fly by? Or did you find yourself staring at the clock wondering when you could get up and leave? Did you revisit the content after you left the room? Or was it out of sight, out of mind?

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all probably had a mixed bag of experiences when it comes to group settings. Sometimes they’re great, and we leave feeling energized, ready to put what we learned into action. Other times, we’d rather be anywhere else. So, what makes the difference? Sure, the topic being discussed is an important factor, and the attitude of your fellow participants has an impact. However, the person leading the conversation probably had the biggest impact of all. A good facilitator can make all the difference.

What is Facilitation?

According to the Association for Talent Development (n.d.), “Facilitation is the act of engaging participants in creating, discovering, and applying learning insights. Facilitation is different from presentation, where one person talks to a group in a "sage on the stage" manner. Facilitation usually involves a “guide on the side” who asks questions, moderates discussions, introduces activities, and helps participants learn.” This method not only makes learning more interactive but also ensures that participants are more involved and engaged in the process.

Facilitating with Adult Learners

Before we jump into what you can do to become a better facilitator, it’s first important to acknowledge that adult learners have different motivations and needs than youth learners. Understanding the characteristics of adult learners allows you to tailor your facilitation techniques to really resonate with your audience.

1. Independence: Adult learners are self-directed in their learning. They prefer to take control of their learning journey, making decisions about what and how they learn. It's important to provide opportunities for them to explore topics independently and make choices that align with their interests and goals.
2. Orientation: Adult learners need content that relates to real-world problems they need to solve. They are oriented towards practical, applicable knowledge that can help them in their personal or professional lives. Content should focus on providing relevant, problem-solving issues that address the specific needs and challenges of the participants (Knowles, 1980).
3. Experience: Adult learners bring a wealth of experience to the table. They filter new information through their own lens, comparing it to what they already know. This means that facilitators should acknowledge and use the existing knowledge and experiences of participants, creating a learning environment that values and builds upon their backgrounds (Knowles, 1980).
4. Motivation: Intrinsic motivation is a key driver for adult learners. They are often motivated by a desire for personal or professional growth, and they want to understand "what's in It for me?” Facilitators should clearly communicate the benefits and relevance of the content, helping participants see how it will help them achieve their goals (Knowles, 1980).
5. Readiness: Adult learners are ready to learn when they see a need to solve a problem or improve a situation. They want to gain knowledge and skills that can be applied immediately. Facilitators should provide structured, scaffolded learning experiences that build on existing knowledge and lead to practical, actionable outcomes (Knowles, 1980).

Key Facilitation Skills to Engage Adult Learners

Now that we have a better understanding of who we are working with, let’s talk about how to make your message matter. The Association for Talent Development (n.d.) recommends eight essential skills to enhance your facilitation practice with adult learners.

1. Encourage Participation: To foster a collaborative environment, it's important to encourage participation from all attendees. Understanding your audience beforehand helps in creating a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, leading to a richer exchange of thoughts and insights.
2. Ask Thought-Provoking Questions: Asking questions that stimulate discussion is key to engaging adult learners. These questions should encourage participants to think deeply and share their perspectives, promoting a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
3. Active Listening: Active listening is critical in facilitation. It involves fully concentrating on what participants are saying, understanding their points, and responding thoughtfully. This shows respect for their contributions and encourages more open communication.
4. Empathy: Being empathetic means understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In facilitation, this involves recognizing the experiences and perspectives of participants, which helps in tailoring the session to meet their needs effectively.
5. Problem-Solving Opportunities: Providing opportunities for problem-solving is essential, as adult learners are often motivated by practical applications. Facilitators can guide participants through problem-solving techniques, such as defining the problem, figuring out the cause, considering solutions, weighing pros and cons, selecting the best solution, implementing it, and evaluating the results.
6. Acceptance of Ideas: It's important to accept and value ideas shared by participants, even if they seem unconventional. This openness fosters a creative environment where everyone feels their contributions are valued.
7. Constructive Conflict Management: Conflict is inevitable in group activities, but it can be a powerful learning tool if managed constructively. Address conflicts politely and use them as opportunities for growth and understanding within the group.
8. Leadership: While collaboration is key, facilitators also need to provide leadership to keep the group focused on achieving goals and outcomes. Balancing collaboration with leadership ensures that sessions are productive.

Does your organization need to improve its facilitation skills? BJA NTTAC is here to help. Request training or technical assistance today!

References

Association for Talent Development (n.d.). What is facilitation? https://www.td.org/talent-development-glossary-terms/what-is-facilitation

Knowles, M. S. The Modern Practice of Adult Education: From Pedagogy to Androgogy.(2nd ed.) New York: Cambridge Books, 1980.

It was October 2023, and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Stacey Haynes, found herself not only managing her cases but also filling the office’s Law Enforcement Coordinator (LEC) position. The office’s longstanding LEC retired after 30 years of service and their replacement rotated out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite her many responsibilities, Haynes was committed to fulfilling state and local law enforcement executives’ request to restart the District’s law enforcement training series. One of the hallmark events of the training series, which was placed on hold at the onset of COVID-19, was a December executive forum that gathered sheriffs, chiefs, and other command staff throughout the state.

With limited time before the forum and a very full calendar, Haynes connected with the Bureau of Justice Assistance National Training and Technical Assistance Center (BJA NTTAC) for help. During a short meeting with BJA NTTAC staff, Haynes shared her need to identify topics and speakers for the day-long executive forum. She shared a couple of topic interests, but, ultimately, relied on BJA NTTAC staff to pitch ideas and create the agenda for the day.

In the end, Haynes and BJA NTTAC settled on three sessions focused on communications, community engagement, and critical incident response. BJA NTTAC identified speakers, guided content development, and made travel arrangements for all speakers. When asked about her experience working with BJA NTTAC, Haynes said, “I sent out information, but they planned everything…It was really easy to work with.”

83 law enforcement executives from 47 different state and local agencies, both large and small, attended the forum. In addition to the scheduled sessions, which attendees rated 10.72 on a 12-point scale, Haynes believes speaker engagement with attendees between and after sessions was just as important. She witnessed attendees asking follow-up questions, running scenarios, and exchanging contact information with presenters.

Attendees themselves described presenters as “fantastic to listen to,” “knock[ing] it out of the park,” and “knowledgeable and engaging.” Haynes believes a large part of the training’s success can be attributed to the speakers’ policing experience. “They were very engaging, very dynamic. They walk the walk, so officers would listen to them more than just having some professor type come in and talk to them. They realized that some of them had been on the streets, and they could relate to them,” Haynes said.

The critical incident response session, in particular, opened one Captain’s eyes to the different impacts a critical incident can have on both a department and the community. This session not only debriefed the 1 October Shooting in Las Vegas, NV, but also discussed the toll critical incidents and past trauma can take on officers’ mental health. Haynes reports that the Captain told her, “We really need to do this...This scares me that we’re not prepared if something like this happens.” Haynes believes the session’s focus on the specific steps required to prepare for a critical incident caused the Captain to push preparedness efforts harder with his own leadership.

Haynes hopes that more agencies take advantage of the services BJA NTTAC and other training and technical assistance organizations have to offer. She said, “It’s a whole lot of bang for no buck…It’s like walking into a buffet and not having to pay for anything. You just pick the best food on the menu, and there’s everything to choose from…[there is] a huge inventory of speakers and topics. When you look at all the different agencies and entities, and literally, it’s no cost to us.”

BJA NTTAC provides no-cost, customized support to any criminal legal system organization. Request free assistance today!

The Bureau of Justice Assistance National Training and Technical Assistance Center (BJA NTTAC) builds safer and stronger communities through proactive, responsive, and innovative training and technical assistance. BJA NTTAC has adopted new branding to reflect the growth and change in the landscape of community safety. While NTTAC branding is changing, the commitment to supporting organizations and strengthening communities is not.

Building safer and stronger communities is not a static, one-size-fits-all effort, but rather a dynamic mission grounded in evidence-based practice and ongoing evaluation and improvement.  As the needs of communities evolve, BJA NTTAC and our nationwide provider network consistently evaluate trends in community safety to best provide critical training and technical assistance. BJA NTTAC’s new branding is intended to reflect these themes of elevating practice, learning and education, and collaboration.   

Community-based programs, grassroots initiatives, reentry programs, and tribal justice organizations are all essential contributors to the broader goal of creating safer and healthier communities across the entire criminal justice system. Collaboration between these entities, many with long histories of public engagement, and system-based criminal justice agencies can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions for building thriving communities.  

The new BJA NTTAC logo is intended to reflect this perspective shift regarding community safety. The logo depicts overlapping leaves which form a sunburst, representing partnership and connection.  The leaf shapes connote growth and collaboration, which are necessary components of achieving stronger and safer communities. BJA NTTAC is excited to introduce branding that aligns more closely with our mission and the evolving public safety landscape. 

Any organization actively working towards building safer and stronger communities is eligible to request free training and technical assistance from BJA NTTAC. We look forward to working with you!