Study Guide

Objective

The students will be able to:
• recognise different types of groups in social work and community work
• understand group dynamics
• work effectively in group settings
• plan and implement group activities
• act as a group facilitator

Content

Contents:
• Different types of groups in social work and community work
• Group dynamics
• Dealing with challenging group work situations
• Group facilitation skills

Teaching methods

Lectures, independent learning, group assignment, seminar - participation in all of these is obligatory.

Materials

Lecture notes & materials given in the lectures
Bens, I. (2012). Facilitating with Ease! Core Skills for Facilitators, Team Leaders and Members, Managers, Consultants and Trainers. John Wiley & Sons.
Brown, N. (2004). Psychoeducational Groups. Process and Practice. Brunner-Routledge.
Haynes, N. (2012). Group Dynamics: Basics and Pragmatics for Practitioner. University of America Press.
Greif, G. & Knight, C. (2016). Group Work with Populations At-Risk. Oxford University Press.
Prendiville, P. (2008). Developing Facilitation Skills. A Handbook for Group Facilitators. Combat Poverty Agency.
Thayer-Hart, N. (ed.) (2007). Facilitator Tool Kit. A Guide for Helping Groups get Results. Office for Quality Improvement. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Completion alternatives

Alternative way of completing the study module is only possible upon specific circumstances/criteria (i.e. sickness etc.). Personal reasons such as travel and work are not considered as acceptable criteria.
Alternative way of completing the study module must be agreed with the responsible lecturer and/or study guidance counselor by the beginning of the study module.
Instructions for the alternative way of completing the study module:

Planning and facilitating a small group either in working life or in your hobby and writing a reflective report on your facilitation skills.
1. Read 2 books about group work facilitation. To be decided with the teacher. Write 3-page essay about facilitation: planning a group activity, group process and facilitator's role, challenging group situations and how to cope with them as a facilitator. This will help you in planning the group session.

2. Write a justified plan for group activity (3-4 pages) and have it accepted by the teachers before implementing the group activity. Include the following topics in your plan:
goals & objectives,
target group,
stage of the group,
actions/tools to be used,
materials needed,
timeline of the group session (how to start the session, what to do during the session, how to end the session)
(division of labour).
3. Implement your plan either in your work environment or in your hobby. You should have an outsider to assess your performance or videotape it.
4. Write a reflective report on your facilitation experience:
Select two topics (group process, facilitation methods, group dynamics, challenges etc.) that interest you in the literature.
Define the core terms of group facilitation you write about in your report and also describe shortly your facilitation experience relevant to the topic.
The aim of the report is to combine your facilitation experience with the literature of group facilitation. Compare the results and contents of your personal experience with the literature: What does the literature say about the topic?
Reflect also your own learning process and your own experiences considering the contents and objectives of the course. You can use this template when assessing your own performance.
Length of the assignment is 4-6 pages (excluding cover page, table of contents and list of references).
Use at least three references (see study material and/or use databases to find other literature).
Use in-text referencing and write a list of references, see Diak's instructions for written assignments.
Use the template for Diak assignment.

Employer connections

Not required.

Exam schedules

The missed lectures and seminars will be compensated within a month after the end of the module.

International connections

None

Student workload

Lectures and independent learning 27hrs = 1cr
Seminars 13hrs = 0,5cr
Group work on the assignment 41hrs = 1,5cr

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Participating in the lectures and seminars.
Actively participating in the group work and presentation of the group work in the seminar.
All aspects of group facilitation has been considered in the group work.