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".
"Our desire is to facilitate learning in a way that is
honoring, experiential, under-whelming, fun,
confidence-building, practical and inspiring."
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 Learn To Inspire at
http://www.LearnToInspire.com or email
learntoinspire@yahoo.com.
