28 April 2024 L&D FacFlix . " Best Designed session I observed " 89 responses !

 Subha & Sushma have been running monthly learning series ' L&D FacFlix ' at the end of every month ( With Pari )  . On 28 April 2024, there was a review session of the previous 3 months, Jan, Feb & March. 

The Divergence Question on that day was " What aspects of session design impressed you from a session that you  observed or attended before?  " 

There were many who attended that day. There were 9 Break Out Rooms in all. And to this question, there were in total 89 responses ( I have taken out the repititons ) ! 

Each of them different and insightful. I made a notes of it. Sharing again for a quick perusal and skimming. 

Perhaps, this group wisdom harvest will help us as a check list, during Design , Delivery and Evaluation of our future workshops. 

It has come to 5 pages in PDF.

Session date : 28 April 2024 . L & D LEARNING FACFLIX   2024 REVIEW SESSION

What was the best designed facilitated workshop or session you have conducted, attended or participated or co-facilitated ?

 ( Online session . All participants are seasoned facilitators. Their responses , break out room wise )

BREAK OUT ROOM 1 RESPONSES

(1)  Presence, back  ground . Fresh breeze. We could come out of the room for groups / paired discussions .

(2)  Visual appeal of the conference room

(3)  Safe reflectors space

(4)  Effective use of Space & Tools - Room set, obstacles removed, work around pillars etc

(5)  How Creative, engaging the session is according to the category of audience

(6)  Start with objectives

(7)  Fun element .

(8)  Ability to stitch back diverse comments, questions etc.

(9)  Sense of timing

(10)               Every voice was heard.

(11)               Session flow , relevance to the topic.

(12)               Story telling mode.

(13)               No slides no ppt slide deck

(14)       Allowing intimate conversations .

BREAK OUT ROOM 2 : IDEAS HARVEST

(1)   Had the elements of story telling .

(2)  Looked at the topic , in depth .

(3)  Had moments of invitation , was participative and flowing .

(4)  Levers, processes and roles defined.

(5)  Catered to different learning styles.

(6)  Created a sanctity for intimate and meaningful conversations in each session and sub-segment.

(7)  Segregating the competencies  ( components of the content )

(8)  Starting and ending on time .

(9)  Clarity in agenda

(10)               Tone of the facilitator .

(11)               Context of the session

(12)               Dancing in the moment.

(13)               I  had once attended a leadership workshop that had zero slides ! Zero !

(14)               Discussions , Energizers and visual elements , a good combination .

(15)               Posters were well structured and placed trust in participants and their collective wisdom.

(16)               Participants were fully engaged in every moment .

(17)               Holistic knowledge of the topic, organization etc.

(18)               Structure was there but I did not feel it as a participant . Un-structure within a structure.

(19)               Energy of the facilitator, packed session but did not feel tired or fatigues. Focused on concept and practice.

(20)               On Time , SOT4 were adhered to .

(21)               Recognizing the need for safe space for all participants.

(22)               Humour .

(23)               Clarity of instructions. Use of colour and creativity.

 

BREAK OUT ROOM 3 . ( BEST DESIGNED SESSION , TRAITS )

(1)  Session design

(2)  Segregating competencies , easy flow .

(3)  Setting strong context and fluidity of the session .

(4)  Smooth , seamless transition from one sub topic to another.

(5)  Structure and spontaneity

(6)  Having concrete take aways for learning transfer

( Other qualities mentioned in this break out room were already mentioned in previous BO rooms. Repetitions deleted )

BREAK OUT ROOM 7

(1)  Following the design

(2)  Facilitator having pre-session discussion with prospective participants to understand context, needs, challenges etc.

(3)  Harvesting group wisdom . Putting participants at the centre of the session.

 

BREAK OUT ROOM NO 4 ( only exclusive comments , no repetitions )

1)    Variations in the TEMPO of the session . Individual work, group work, activities, writing work – generated curiosity about what next ?

2)    Balance between head , heart and spirit.

 

BREAK OUT ROOM NO 5 : What aspects of session design impressed you from a session that you observed or attended before ?

 

(1)  Gamifying an ORID conversation

(2)  Activities doubling up as props , no actual props at all.

(3)  Use of colour and creativity ( VFX )

(4)  Troika consulting

(5)  Creative use of physical space and the kinesthetic experience given to participants

(6)   Using spot reactions and words to create a process ( Hideyuki, during 2023 Asia Conference, Yatah Yatah – Ammov ! )

(7)   Humor ( Rubber Sword ) , use of physical ladder in the session .

(8)  Using infinity shape , mid point is the point of confluence ( Yateen Gharat session , Feb 2024 Hyderabad )

(9)  Modifying the session structure effortlessly and seamlessly

 

BREAK OUT ROOM NO 06

(1)  Tree model with leaves. Each part of the tree representing different generation .

(2)  Stunning visuals.

(3)  Using infinity shape ; midpoint is the point of confluence.

(4)  Using the pictures of various bridges . What kind of bridge are you , as a facilitator ?

(5)  Use of Deewar or Darwaza in your role.

(6)  Participatory strategic planning on the floor .

 

Break out Room 8

1. Where more questions have been asked and the participants were asked to  go deeper

2. The programme was clearly designed, 

3. Tools, processes and activities used were perfect !

4. Every participants were made to participate !

5. Participants were made comfortable with each other

 6. Simple activities and clear instructions 

7. Simple design

8. Audio Visual aids came out handy and aided to the design

9. Amazing Ice Breaker which made participants comfortable

10. Design was engaging, not a minute of boredom

11. Covered all aspects of Visual, audio and kinesthetic

12. Debriefs were managed very well

13. Facilitator not being present but the energy kept the group intact

14. All activities collaborative

15. Team Composition dynamic and kept changing 

16. Duration was comfortable

17. Ample Conversation time

18. Ownership

19. Allow participants to participate how much ever time  they like

 

Break Out Room 9

(1) Begin with the end - mapping where we will start and where we will end 

(2) Bus stop analogy - How much time from one bus stop to the next one

(3) Agenda of the meeting, getting attention from participants, direct them actively for entire session,  wnership setting outcomes at the end of the meeting 

Ownership

(4) Allow participants to participate how much ever they like 

(5) Space to explore them 

(6) Implementing an appropriate check-in tool to create a safe learning space - psychological and emotional  safety

(7) Quality of material used by the facilitator shows the details of planning a session Tone of the facilitator