This Tip describes how to create and what to include in a scripted facilitator guide, as well as how to insert it into the participant manual.
A Scripted Facilitator Guide
We have a number of choices to answer the seventh question:
7. What format will be most useful for the facilitator?
There are three different formats I have typically used:
- an annotated table of contents (described in Tip #158),
- an annotated lesson plan (described in Tip #159), and
- a scripted facilitator guide, which is our focus in this Tip.
A scripted facilitator guide provides more information and guidance than is possible on an annotated lesson plan. The annotated lesson plan provides:
- a brief narrative of the activities,
- their purpose, and
- what is required (in terms of materials and directions) to facilitate the activities.
The scripted facilitator guide comments on each page of the participant materials and offers lecturettes and other scripts.
The key information that the facilitator will need is:
Objectives and Key Content
- the over all focus of the session
- the learning objectives
- the key content points (in many cases, these are the section titles or agenda items)
- the duration of the focus on this key content
Information about Learning Activities
- the type of learning activities
- when they occur
- how long they should last
- specific materials for the activity
- the goal of the activity
- how to introduce, facilitate and debrief the activities
What to Say
- specific notes regarding how to facilitate the activity
- the specific handout pages and/or PowerPoint slides to which the activities relate
- break times and durations
- specific points to make and where to make them
- how long to spend on each item in the participant materials
- what to say to introduce, facilitate, and debrief the activities
A scripted facilitator guide actually mirrors the participant manual page by page.
The best way to format the guide is to place the participant manual pages in a three hole binder. The binder holes should be on the left side of each manual page. The binder holes should be on the right side of each facilitator guide page. This way the facilitator guide pages will be opposite their respective participant pages
On the facilitator guide pages, the script should be in italics. It should also be douible or triple spaced. It gives the total time for the module as well as the amount of time for each activity. This enables the facilitator to pace him/herself. Print these instructions in a font size of at least 14 or larger. This will make it easier for the facilitator to read. Sections may also be color coded (time frames or activities or specific resources) whatever will assist the facilitator best.
