MQM1FFL-Facilitation for Leaders

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Jean- Anne Stewart
Email: jean-anne.stewart@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is offered as one of the elective choices at Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the MA Leadership, a part-time programme for experienced leaders or managers with significant leadership responsibility. This module is specifically aimed at developing facilitation skills in the programme members. It is delivered by a combination of face-to-face workshops, small group activities, personal reflection and self-study, over a period of several months, alongside other modules covering leadership concepts and frameworks.

Aims:

This module aims to: 

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  Develop the capability of individuals to plan, manage and reflect on their facilitation interventions 

  
  


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  Encourage development of behavioural skills in individuals to increase the effectiveness and appropriateness of their facilitation 

  
  


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  Increase the level of self-awareness in programme members 

  
  

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  Develop the awareness of the risks and practical issues in relation to facilitation and leadership 

  
  

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will have:

• Knowledge of a range of different theoretical models and approaches to facilitation and action learning

• Knowledge of a range of techniques for problem-solving, decision-making, creativity and managing feedback

• Critical analysis in order to engage others, assess the facilitation context and decide on the most appropriate interventions

• Communication skills, including questioning, listening, summarising and interpersonal sensitivity

• Managing difference and addressing conflict

• Self-awareness and respect for others

The programme member will receive feedback from peers and tutors on these outcomes throughout the module. This will contribute to their reflections in the final assignment 

Additional outcomes:

• Confidence

• Understanding of their own personal facilitation style

• Understanding the importance and use of reflection in learning and personal development

Outline content:

The programme covers the following topics:

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  The role of facilitation, the leader and the facilitator  

  
  

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  Assessing the context of facilitation 

  
  


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  Facilitation models and core theories  

  
  


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  The facilitation process 

  
  


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  Practical tools and techniques 

  
  


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  Managing process interventions and effective participation  

  
  

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  Managing difference and addressing conflict 

  
  


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  Practical facilitation skills development 

  
  

Global context:

N/A

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching methods include working in a whole group of up to 50 with one or two tutors, and in smaller groups and action learning sets of up to 8 programme members. Other learning activities take place in pairs and individual reflection.

Teaching includes input from tutors, demonstrations of techniques and practice in small groups. Plenary discussion and table discussions are encouraged. Formative and summative feedback is given as appropriate.

Programme members are expected to draw on their practical facilitation experiences in their own or other organisations to practice and consolidate their learning through planned facilitation development targets. After the final workshop in this module, the programme members write their assignments. They have access to the Virtual Learning Environment throughout the programme, until the end of their registration period.

Programme members are encouraged to keep a personal learning l og, paper or electronic, during both this module and the complete programme.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Following on from the first workshop, programme members develop a personal facilitation development plan with their desired developmental goals and targets, during the subsequent ‘practice’ period of several months. Programme members will design a range of facilitation development and learning activities which provide the opportunity to demonstrate acquired skill and develop further. These will be discussed in the final assessment, which will comprise: 

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  A written assignment of 5000 words, based on the experience of the facilitation practice and personal leadership development during the overall period of the module. This should reflect on the activities which took place both in ‘live’ practice and at the workshops, the learning gained from it, the programme member’s learning reflections, and be underpinned with reference and critical analysis of the relevant literature. 

  
  

The assignment is the only piece of work assessed in this module. It is expected that the programme member will reference the other elements of their development portfolio, such as learning logs and reflective documents, and include them as required in the appendix of the assignment. These additional elements of the portfolio will be included in the same electronic submission as the assignment. 

Assessment submission is according to the assessment schedule for the student’s cohort. 

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback from tutors and peers at interim facilitation activities is formative and supports personal development during this module. 

Penalties for late submission:

As stated for university post-experience, postgraduate programmes 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Minimum of 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

One re-submission allowed, capped at 50%

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023