Workshops
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1. What is a workshop?
The defining feature of a workshop is that it involves student participation and activity - it revolves around students ‘doing things'. The learning activities are frequently carried out in small groups and will involve discussion and debate. The varied learning tasks are usually punctuated by inputs and plenary discussions led by the tutor or facilitator.
The purpose of workshops is to develop a range of skills, to challenge attitudes, to apply knowledge and to share experiences and views. It is a form of teaching and learning which benefits from having a mixed ability and mixed experienced group of students and aims to allow students to learn from each other and share views and approaches.
So workshops are extended small group teaching sessions, often lasting a whole morning or even a day and involving about 15 - 30 students. They consist of a series of learning activities embedded in a timetabled schedule and framework which are designed to help students achieve both skills and knowledge-based learning outcomes. Outcomes are also often focused on more nebulous areas of development such as growing confidence and empowering students to take the initiative etc. This may well involve challenging students to work in different ways and outside their ‘comfort zone'.
Workshops are often used to develop team working abilities and to nurture creativity and lateral thinking so common learning tasks may include problem-solving case studies, mini-research tasks and presentations.
2. Hints, tips and suggestions
It is advisable to begin workshops with a clear and timed plan of activities so that your students know what to expect.
It is recommended that time is spent in ensuring your students feel comfortable and confident with each other before asking them to participate in more challenging learning tasks such as giving presentations or taking part in role-play etc. This may involve conducting some kind of warm up or ‘ice-breaking' activity which will help students get to know each other and feel more relaxed and ready to learn.
Split big groups into pairs or threes - this is more dynamic and produces more ideas - and gets the whole group working better, particularly when they present ideas and review with the whole group.
It can be very helpful if groups can make the outputs of their work visible to others and using flipcharts, post-it notes, whiteboards etc can assist with this. Not only do such approaches aid sharing but they also allow the tutor to monitor progress and achievement.
Note: Workshops are a widely used in the private sector and business communities to facilitate continuing professional development and training events for staff. Much of the advice available online is drawn from this sector but is generally applicable to teaching students with minor changes of language and style.
3. Further information
Syndicate classes and workshops, Chapter 9 in Exley, K. and Dennick, R., 2004. Small Group Teaching: Tutorials, Seminars and Beyond. Key Guides for Effective Teaching In Higher Education. Routledge: London
Tips on Designing Workshops at Businessballs.com
Facilitating Workshops - Practical Tips for Workshop Facilitators (PDF download).