Facilitated learning

What is facilitated learning?

Facilitated learning is where the students are encouraged to take more control of
their learning process. The trainer's role becomes that of a facilitator and organiser
providing resources and support to learners. In turn the participants learn with and
from each other as they identify and implement solutions to challenges, problems
or other developmental issues. They might also set their own objectives and be
responsible for learning assessment.
The technique is used most frequently in university education and more formal
study. It is probably not a methodology that trainers in the archive field will be able
to use exclusively, but it offers some techniques and approaches that can be
incorporated into training courses that run over several days. For example having
participants work independently to develop an action plan, related to the course
content but tailored to their needs.
In contrast to individual learning where the trainer becomes very involved and
responsive to each participant's individual needs, with facilitated learning the
trainer supports and facilitates the participants who develop and shape their own
learning goals and achievements.

Advantages and disadvantages of facilitated

learning
Facilitated learning is based on the premise that the more responsibility a student
takes for his/her own learning, the more effective the training or education will be.
The advantages are:

Learners use skills like synthesis and analysis

The learner is actively involved

Learners interact with and learn from each other

There is no need for large amounts of learning materials

Learners can work in an environment similar to that of the real world

A variety of learning methods are used