A presentation for trainers and facilitators. This ppt can be used to learn and de-learn about participation and its levels...

1. Session V: Participation
Objective: Clarity about participation, its types and its importance. Learn about
listening and its importance in facilitation and moderation.
Ziaul Hoda

2. What is Participation
Participation is the practice of involving all people
of all abilities in making decisions

3. Why Participation
Because there are people around us with different set of abilities and they can
contribute in the process...

4. For us, it is essential to understand that…
In any group…
People will have different levels of participation…
Opinion Giver Dominant
Silent
Decision Maker
Discussant

5. Lets keep in mind that…
In a training, community meeting, group facilitation, we will
have a combination of Silent, Opinion Giver, Discussant,
Dominant participants.
•The general population would be Opinion Giver and Discussant: They
are normal participants (Easy to handle)
•There will be some Silent participants: They are hesitant, shy and may
be introvert as person (Moderator needs to encourage their
participation level )
•A few would be trouble maker or Dominant: They are the ones who will
create noise and nuances (Challenge for the moderator)
• Role of the moderator is to handle all of them, and,
• Guide them towards becoming decision makers during the training,
meetings or group facilitation

6. How do we ensure participation?
• Use different methodologies (done because the learning
styles for different individuals are different)
• Ask questions to the group
• Encourage the group to ask questions to the facilitator as
well as among themselves
• Do quick recaps of what had been covered
• Announce prizes/gifts for the first three responses
• Approach silent participants and talk to them personally in
break times.

7. Handling different participants
• Give him a good ear
• Make him/her responsible
for some specific work in the
group
• Make him/her accountable
for the group’s achievement
Difficult Participants

8. Moderator’s Behaviour
• Dominant, but cooperative behavior. Listen
active, show understanding, be clear and to
the point, emphasize the cooperation.
• Non-Verbal: eye-contact, strong and clear
voice, Prevent from being passive or slow.

9. Handling dominant participants
• Boost his/her self-confidence and give him
a feeling of success
• Include the quiet participant by asking
him/her (easy) questions,
• Acknowledge his/her contributions with
special emphasis, recording them and
coming back to them later;
• Talk to him/her during the breaks, this
often boosts self-esteem
• Initiate work in pairs or small groups, in
Silent Participants which the reticent participant often has
less difficulty participating;
• Assign him/her a role in the group.

10. Moderator’s Behaviour
• Accepting style Be informal, emphasize the
importance of his opinion and integrity, and
be clear in your goals.
• Non-verbal: listening, friendly, pauses in
speaking. Prevent from dominant behavior or
steering this participant.