HELPFUL POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN FACILITATING LEARNING IN A CLASS OF STUBBORN PARTICIPANTS

Introduce yourself and show you qualify to stand before them.

Allow them to introduce themselves so that they can feel respected.

Mutually share expectations and agree to meet them.

Have a manageable class that enables facilitator to look at each and every participant.

If large class, consider using public address system to that no participant is left out.

Often mention rewards for course completion and cooperating in every session.

Generally lecture them on the importance of the training.

Ask them whether they are willing to learn or not so that the willing could continue with the programme.

Allow equal chance to express their opinions over a topic by show of hands.

Encourage independence of opinion and respect.

Accept their views as a sign of respect regardless and only nourish them with your own. They will always have higher regard for your ideas than their own, though you do not have to show that you are right and they are wrong.

Remind them of the rules and expectations everyday you come in.

Teach with comfort, calmness and enjoy.

Choose stubborn characters and cases or as those to roles play cases.

Change their (stubborn participants) positions to areas with more focused learners.

Avoid too long, too soft talks.

Keep time and try not to go past departure time. In case of any added time then re-negotiate with them.

Pick out focused learners to openly comment about indiscipline of fellow classmates.

Give them (stubborn ones) light but touching exercises like standing up throughout the session, standing before the lass until end of the class etc.

Have a private counseling and guidance session with stubborn character.

Involve relatives in the process of behavior change.

Under extreme circumstances inform the authorities about the matter.

And as a last resort give the stubborn character the option to try other schools or something else.

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
J.Waiswa has had experience in facilitating both adults, youths and adolescent learners...