Disadvantages- Slow or insecure participants may withdraw
- Unclear questions frustrate both participants and facilitators
- May encourage guessing instead of critical thinking
Tips for improving the use of question and answer techniques:- Use random questioning patterns to keep participants alert –question, pause and call a name
- Be patient and wait for participants to answer
- Use positive feedback – find something good or useful about the answer, praise good effort
- Build on questions, moving from what participants know to what they are expected to know.
Role-plays
Role-playing is a training method in which problems are outlined, acted out and discussed.
In this method, participants act out a situation and, by doing so, may find creative solutions to
problems raised. In a role-play, the facilitator may stop the action at appropriate stages to get
the audience to give input on what is being acted out. It is appropriate to use role-plays when:- Security exists within the group.
- Presenting subjects which are difficult to connect with through discussions or lectures.
- Participants need to be engaged emotionally as well as intellectually.
- Examining participants’ attitudes.
- Participants need to practise new
skills and behaviours.
Advantages- Provides insights into attitudes, values
and perceptions - Emotional connection occurs
- Allows for practise in new skills
- Can maintain participants’ interest
- Makes use of imagination
Disadvantages- If participants flounder, they may withdraw
- May be seen as entertainment and not taken seriously
- Takes lots of time
- May not allow full participation
- If not carefully processed, lessons can be lost
Tips for improving the use of role-play:- Give clear instructions; make sure participants understand the purpose of the role-play
- Participants should be volunteers
- Tell the players what to do; tell the observers what to look for
- Control the role-play – stop the role-play as soon as problems are seen
- Allow sufficient time for preparation
- Get and provide feedback at the end and review learning points.
(^78) Unit 2, Facilitator’s Guidelines Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children