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TOPUCU Facilitator Guide
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General Facilitation Tips

Facilitation is any activity that makes an action or a process easy or easier. In the context of leading a
workshop discussion, your role is to “facilitate” the conversation – to encourage and promote student
participation.

Tip 1 Establish Ground Rules with the students
Ground Rules will establish the actions and behaviors which are critical for the effective interactions of
the group. They will create boundaries and expectations which help you, as the facilitator, to better
manage the dynamics and engagement of the group.
Ground Rules should be:
• written down and kept visible for the group to see throughout their experience
• used as a reminder when you see actions or behaviors contrary to the rules established by the
group (simply redirect the group to how they agreed to interact and engage in the learning
process)
• contributed to by the participants

Standard Ground Rules should include things such as:
• Turn off all mobile devices (phones, laptops, etc.)
• Begin and end on time
• Actively listen to one another
• Everyone should participate
• Respect one another’s opinions
• No idea is a bad idea
• Headline – keep comments brief

The facilitator should solicit additional ground rules from the participants.
Create a parking lot. You can use this tool to capture ideas that are outside of the scope of the
conversation you are leading. Simply indicate to the students that you will capture their thought and
come back to it at a later time, if time permits. Make sure and follow through on your commitment by
reviewing the parking lot items at the close of each session.

Tip 2 Build trust through the encouragement of participants
Being aware of your own communication style and biases is critical to effective facilitation. Your actions
and interactions are one of the most significant contributors to the tone of your training sessions.
Your role as a facilitator is to:
• empower, not control. (do not dominate conversations but instead ask questions to draw out the
participation of others)
• model the behaviors you are seeking from the participants
o Be enthusiastic and positive (bring positive energy to the room)

Tip 2 Build trust through the encouragement of participants (cont.)
o Be on time
o Don’t criticize others
o Encourage teamwork
o Actively listen and bridge to the thoughts shared by others
o Value the potential of each participant
o Reinforce positive behaviors (catch participants doing something good)

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