1st Edition

Participatory Workshops A Sourcebook of 21 Sets of Ideas and Activities

By Robert Chambers Copyright 2002

    This sourcebook is for all who work with others on participatory learning and change. Written in a spirit of critical reflection and serious fun, it provides 21 sets of ideas and options for facilitators, trainers, teachers and presenters, and anyone who organises and manages workshops, courses, classes and other events for sharing and learning ideas. It covers topics such as getting started, seating arrangements, forming groups, managing large numbers, helping each other learn, analysis and feedback, dealing with dominators, evaluation and ending, coping with horrors, and common mistakes.

    Part 1: Brief Basics 21 Dos  21 Questions when Preparing for Participatory Workshops and Learning  21 PRA/PLA Behaviours  21 PRA/PLA Questions to Ask Oneself  Part 2: Beginning, Middle and End  21 Ideas for Getting Started  21 Energizers  21 Ideas for Evaluation and Ending  Part 3: Messing Up  21 Mistakes I Make in Workshops  21 Horrors in Participatory Workshops  21 Ways to Not Answer a Question  Part 4: Groups, Seating and Size  21 Ways of Forming Groups  21 Arrangements for Seating  21 Ideas for Participatory Workshops with Large Numbers  Part 5: Analysis and Learning  21 of the Best  21 Ideas and Options for Analysis and Feedback  21 Ways to Help Each Other Learn  21 Tips on How to Avoid Lecturing  Part 6: Behaviour and Awareness  21 Activities for Attitude and Behaviour Awareness and Change  21 Tips for dealing with Dominators and Helping the Silent Speak  21 Tips for Surviving Participatory Workshops  21 Sources of Ideas for Trainers ad Facilitators

    Biography

    Robert Chambers' other books include Rural Development: Putting the Last First (1983), Challanging the Professions (1993) and Whose Reality Counts? Putting the First Last (1997).

    'A lovely book.' Training Journal 'Excellent ideas, clear and concise.' Shari Howe, Training Specialist, Center for Field Assistance and Applied Research 'Next time you start designing a training programme for a community, take a look at this book first.' TerraGreen 'This delightful little book is...a smorsgabord of very practical activities combined with some lessons from experience for facilitators of participatory workshops.' Janet Hunt, Development Studies Bulletin 'Packed with ideas, many of which you will want to return to over time...this book should be on every teacher or facilitator's bookshelf.' walnutbooks.com 'One word of warning: don't lend this book to a colleague; you'll not see it again.' International Association for Impact Assessment 'The collection is well-organised and very well-written.' British Journal of Educational Technology