Course Overview: Group Facilitation Training
Course Description
Effective group facilitation is essential for creating engaging, inclusive, and productive discussions. This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to guide group conversations, foster collaboration, and manage challenges in various facilitation settings. Whether working in-person, virtually, or in hybrid environments, facilitators must be adaptable, intentional, and skilled in communication and group management.
Throughout this course, participants will learn fundamental facilitation techniques, including active listening, neutrality, managing group dynamics, handling disruptions, and ensuring psychological safety. The course also covers co-facilitation best practices, virtual facilitation strategies, and methods for fostering participation from all group members. By the end, facilitators will be equipped with the tools needed to lead with confidence and effectiveness.
Course Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply key facilitation skills, including active listening, effective questioning, and managing group energy.
- Foster a psychologically safe and inclusive environment where all voices are valued.
- Navigate group dynamics and challenges, including managing resistance and facilitating difficult conversations.
- Adapt facilitation techniques for different settings, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid environments.
Course Structure
This course consists of seven core lessons, each covering a key aspect of facilitation:
- Introduction to Group Facilitation – Foundational principles and facilitator roles.
- The Role & Responsibilities of a Facilitator – Core skills and maintaining neutrality.
- Essential Facilitation Skills – Active listening, questioning techniques, and engagement strategies.
- Handling Resistance & Managing Group Dynamics – Addressing conflict and disruptions.
- Fostering a Supportive & Collaborative Environment – Creating psychological safety and inclusive participation.
- Facilitating Challenging Conversations – Managing tense discussions with confidence.
- Wrap-Up & Best Practices for Continued Growth – Final reflections and facilitator growth planning.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for anyone who leads or facilitates group discussions, including:
- Peer support specialists
- Community leaders
- Educators and trainers
- Workplace team leads
- Social service professionals
- Anyone looking to enhance their facilitation skills for professional or volunteer settings
Next Steps
Before beginning the course, complete the Pre-Test to assess your current facilitation knowledge. Once finished, proceed to Lesson 1: Introduction to Group Facilitation.
Course Materials
This course includes practical materials to support facilitators in developing key skills, managing group dynamics, and creating an engaging and inclusive environment. Below is a list of the resources provided throughout the course and how they can be used.
- Icebreakers & Engagement Strategies for Facilitators – A collection of quick, effective activities to help facilitators build connection, ease participants into discussion, and maintain engagement throughout the session.
- Group Agreements Template – A structured guide for establishing shared expectations within a group, ensuring a respectful and supportive discussion environment.
- Facilitator Roles & Responsibilities Overview – An overview of the key duties of a facilitator, including best practices for guiding discussions, balancing participation, and maintaining neutrality.
- Facilitator’s Guide to Effective Questioning Techniques – A resource detailing how to ask open-ended, thought-provoking questions that deepen discussion and encourage participation.
- Quick Tips for Managing Time & Keeping Discussions on Track – A one-pager offering strategies for balancing engagement with structure, keeping discussions focused, and preventing conversations from going off-track.
- Handling Difficult Participant Behaviors: Quick Reference Guide – A practical tool for identifying and responding to common facilitation challenges, such as dominant voices, disengagement, and resistance.
- Managing Group Disruptions & Resistance Toolkit – A deeper dive into handling challenging group dynamics, providing strategies for de-escalation, redirection, and maintaining a productive discussion.
- De-Escalation & Conflict Resolution Quick Guide – A structured approach to managing tense conversations, diffusing conflict, and fostering a respectful space for diverse perspectives.
- Virtual Facilitation Best Practices Guide – A resource outlining effective strategies for leading virtual and hybrid discussions, keeping participants engaged, and addressing common technical challenges.
- Facilitator’s Guide to Effective Session Closures – Techniques for wrapping up discussions, reinforcing key takeaways, and leaving participants with a sense of completion and next steps.
- Facilitation Self-Assessment Checklist – A tool for facilitators to reflect on their performance, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas for growth after each session.
These materials are designed to be practical, easy to implement, and applicable in real-world facilitation settings. They serve as reference tools facilitators can use beyond the course to strengthen their skills and confidence.