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THE BRILLIANCE OF WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENT
© 2005 Linda McDonald & Deb Waterstone. All Rights Reserved
VISION BUILT ON INSPIRATION
You have a vision and are inspired to share it out to the world. Imagine bringing that vision; that passion into a workshop learning environment where your customers and clients are inspired to expand their awareness, knowledge and skills related to your area of expertise or interest. With this expansion comes a change in attitude, increased confidence and ultimately greater competence.
The first stage in the development of your workshop is identifying your vision otherwise know as THE WHAT. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS of bringing your workshop vision to reality include Subject Matter, Target Audience, Desired Transformation, Learning Experience, Purpose/Goals, Learning Competencies and Title.
HOW you achieve the WHAT that you have envisioned is folded into the design of your workshop. There are many elements to consider in creating an effective and inspired design. From the perspective of the facilitator it is important that the flow of your design marries with your style and experience as well as with your audience’s Level of Mastery in the Subject Matter. A basic outline serves as a guide toward developing the content sequence and learning strategies. In addition, you want to incorporate three distinct LEARNING FRAMES.
ATTITUDE BUILT ON AWARENESS
Recall a time when you discovered a new understanding of something you believed to be true. This is a moment when you become aware that a perception or “knowing” can be changed simply by seeing it from another viewpoint or through access to more information or new experiences. Once aware you find you feel and think differently. This results in a new attitude. With a new attitude you may have found greater openness and readiness to learn more about the subject matter. This LEARNING FRAME is supported in the inspired (safe, respectful, non-judgmental) learning environment where the facilitator and learners are clear about the purpose and desired transformation of the workshop.
CONFIDENCE BUILT ON KNOWLEDGE
As you soak in the knowledge of a particular subject matter and integrate it into you life and work, you tend to feel a greater sense of confidence. With confidence you are able to take on new risks and challenges. You can stretch beyond your comfort zone. This ability enhances the awareness and knowledge learning. The facilitator designs the workshop content to bring in new information that enhances the learning and allows for the building of competency in the subject matter.
COMPETENCE BUILT ON SKILL PRACTICE
Awareness and knowledge are the materials used to build the foundation of attitude and confidence that support learners to begin to practice new skills. Each practice of the skill enhances competence which moves you from being in the “stretch beyond the comfort” zone to a new “in comfort” zone.
There are THREE PRIMARY STAGES to creating a successful and inspiring workshop. We begin with THE WHAT to inform The HOW. And NOW is the stage of implementation.
Your confidence is high and you can’t wait to bring your learners together. There are logistics to consider but most important is your role as the facilitator. You are the one who sets the tone and creates the space for learning to occur. Here you integrate your desire and inspiration with process and planning. How will you create an inspired learning environment where learners feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings and be open to new awareness? What would it be like to be part of a learning environment where confidentiality is respected, the focus is on what is working and positive, everyone is 100% engaged and listening fully to each other, where criticism and judgment are left at the door and everyone takes on a beginner’s mind and where it is easy to give and receive acknowledgement and support? Imagine creating such a learning space.
It is truly thrilling to inspire a learning environment through workshops and programs. And one of the greatest thrills is the gift of unexpected learning you as the facilitator always receive from your “audience”.
About the Authors:
Linda McDonald and Deb Waterstone have designed in collaboration Learn to Inspire™, a comprehensive start to finish learning program for the creation, design and implementation of inspiring classes, workshops and learning programs. Visit these inspired learning model facilitators, professional development coaches and organizational development consultants at http://www.LearnToInspire.com or email learntoinspire@yahoo.com.
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