Page 10 - Peer 2 Peer Learning Start-up kit

3 Running a peer-to-peer group
There are checklists provided online to assist with facilitator preparation. See Appendix 2.
Robert Brinkerhoff, an expert in learning effectiveness and evaluation, explored the impact of training events in companies. He found very few training events were effective and created the 40-20-40 model for high impact learning. He argued that to get the full impact of learning you needed to focus on the before and after, rather than just the event.
This model suggests that the first part of any activity/event for a peer-to-peer group should involve some pre-work. This should be designed to help members engage with the topic of the event, help them clarify what they need from the event and prepare to get the most from it.
Some suggestions for pre-work are outlined in the table below.
Pre-event
Event
Post-event
40% of effort
20% of effort
40% of effort
Focus on learner needs, preparation, engagement
z one – two questions emailed/text to members before the meeting. Examples include: What’s one aspect of this topic you would like information on? What’s one question you have for [an expert]?
z asking members to email/text pictures of current situation e.g. risk areas on-farm, pasture, livestock (whatever is relevant to the focus for the event)
z asking members to bring in samples of soil or plants that will be used as part of the event activities
z sending out a short survey (e.g. via SurveyMonkey) to get information from the group about what they already know on the topic for the event
Draft run sheet for meeting 2 can be found at Appendix 3
Facilitating event, ensuring contributions and reflection
z start each event with a discussion of what was tried based on previous meeting. Ask members to reflect on what they tried and what did and did not work
z allow time at the end of the event to ask members to identify one action to try on their property. Use this as the basis for reflection at the start of the next event
Focus on relevance, translation to own situation and feedback
z short email/text message to all members reminding them of the one action they identified at the end of the event Remind them that this will be discussed at the start of the next meeting
z asking members to share a photo or ask questions about the what they are trying via email, social media, group apps
z pair up group members and get them to check in on each other in between group meetings
10 | Peer-to-peer learning start-up kit
STEP