Students Participate in "Tools and Techniques for Group Facilitation" Workshops with Darin Eich

 
On September 17th, I had the pleasure of attending Darin Eich’s workshop “Tools and Techniques for Group Facilitation.” I took part in this event because I believe the ability to organize and lead discussions is important in the professional world. This is an ability that one should develop before it is actually needed. Dr. Eich’s workshop offered the opportunity to discover new techniques that I could use in my future endeavors.

Dr. Eich exhibited an amicable personality from the moment he arrived at the workshop, proceeding to individually greet each participant. His emphasis on “keeping the roots in” was demonstrated throughout his presentation as he introduced his background, as well as the learning model that he believes best represents how people learn. This model, which emphasizes action and engagement, guided the workshop as Dr. Eich taught facilitation strategies by implementing them in the session.

While I may not remember some of the colorful names he gave these techniques, such as “Around the Horn” or “Brainrain”, I will undoubtedly remember the activities because of my engagement in them during the workshop. To sum up all the material presented, Dr. Eich ended the workshop by giving participants the opportunity to lead their own smaller discussions on a topic of their choosing. This was the most memorable part of the workshop for me, as I met and engaged with other students on their topics of interest as well as one of my own, passions.

Although most of the strategies Dr. Eich introduced are not strange or unfamiliar, the bundling of multiple techniques into this one workshop provided a convenient mental handbook of activities that I can use in future groups that I will facilitate, both large and small.  

-- Written by Alexandros Zervos ’16, MLDP Participant Fall 2013 

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