George Lakey 
Facilitating Group Learning 
Strategies for Success with Adult Learners

Praise for Facilitating Group Learning

‘In this engaging and accessible book, George Lakey draws on alifetime’s experience to provide a highly practical resource toanyone seeking to understand and respond to the complexities ofgroup work. The book will be invaluable to anyone trying to effectsocial change through groups while striving to stay simultaneouslysane and employed.’–Stephen D. Brookfield, Distinguished University Professor, University of St. Thomas

‘I’ve been working with forms of direct education for manydecades, and I found new ideas and inspirations in every chapter.For anyone involved in teaching, training, sharing skills, orleading groups, this book is an invaluableresource!’–Starhawk, author, The Earth Path, Dreaming the Dark, and Webs of Power

‘George Lakey has inspired our union to engage in education in away that challenges us to redefine social justice and equality innew and exciting ways. This book helps us to continue our journeyto touch the souls of union members.’–Denis Lemelin, nationalpresident, Canadian Union of Postal Workers

‘Facilitating Group Learning will ease the way of all whoventure into the white waters of facilitation. George clarifies themost basic, complex, and nagging challenges of facilitation, whilehonoring the realities of individual and social power dynamics andproviding real-life examples from the path of continued growth andmastery. A rare gift!’–Niyonu D. Spann, founding president, TRV Consulting and Beyond Diversity 101

‘This book is a must-read for people who teach adults of anyage, no matter what the subject, and care about doing it in waysthat yield deep and abiding learning. Wonderfully well-written andrich with psychological and spiritual insights as well as practicalstrategies, it represents the fruits of a lifetime oftransformational teaching and learning by one of the foremost adulteducators of our time.’–Parker J. Palmer, author, The Courageto Teach, Let Your Life Speak, and The Heart of Higher Education

Table of Content

About the Author.

Acknowledgments.

1. Introduction: Direct Education for Adult Learning Groups.

Part I: The Learning Group and the Individual.

2. The Role of the Individual and the Group in Direct Education.

3. Harnessing the Power of Intention.

4. Strengthening the Container: Subgroups Join the Mix.

5. The Secret Life of Groups.

Part II: Diversity, Difference, and Emotions in Group Learning.

6. Acknowledging Difference to Accelerate Learning.

7. Diversity and Conflict Styles.

8. Social Class and Diversity.

9. Authenticity, Emotion, and Learning.

Part III: Designing Learning Experiences.

10. Structures for Organizing the Content.

11. Building on What the Learners Know.

12. The Art of Timing in Adding New Knowledge.

13. Sequencing for Maximum Impact.

14. Accountability in Direct Education.

15. Emergent Design: Facilitating the Here and Now.

Part IV: Facilitation.

16. Setting the Tone and Building Safety.

17. Edgy Interventions to Accelerate Learning.

18. The Power of Framing.

19. Sensitivity in Cross-Cultural Issues.

20. The Drama of Transformational Work.

21. Conclusion: Bringing It All Together.

Resources.

Appendix A: The Sustainable Educator: Advocacy, Modesty, and Diversity of Gifts.

Appendix B: The Sustainable Educator: Resilience and Revolution.

Appendix C: For Further Reading.

Appendix D: Tools and Resources for Direct Education.

References.

Index.

About the author

George Lakey is visiting professor and research fellow for the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and cofounder of the nonprofit Training for Change. He is the author or coauthor of eight books including Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership and A Manual for Direct Action.