Participatory Workshops
A Sourcebook of 21 Sets of Ideas and Activities
By Robert Chambers
'A lovely book.'
Training Journal
Paperback
May 2002 •
236 pages •
210 x 148mm •
ISBN 9781853838637
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.
'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
CONTENTS
Part I: 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 II: Beginning, Middle and End - 21 Ideas for Getting Started
21 Energizers
21 Ideas for Evaluation and Ending
Part III: Messing Up - 21 Mistakes I Make in Workshops
21 Horrors in Participatory Workshops
21 Ways to Not Answer a Question
Part IV, Groups, Seating and Size
21 Ways of Forming Groups
21 Arrangements for Seating
21 Ideas for Participatory Workshops with Large Numbers
Part V: 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 VI: 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
References
A Note on Equipment, Materials and Furniture
Subject Index
Index of Activities and Exercises
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).