Facilitation

THE BEST OF THE ACTIVE REVIEWING GUIDE by Roger Greenaway

The Skilled Facilitator:
a Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, Trainers and Coaches
Roger M. Schwarz

Peter M. Senge: "Everyone wants to be a facilitator: consultants, managers, even teachers. What is desperately needed is a common, practical reference for understanding facilitation in diverse professional settings. No one has done a better job than Roger Schwarz of synthesizing the major theoretical underpinnings and translating them into clear, usable guidelines for practicioners." (Peter M. Senge, author, The Fifth Discipline) Chris Argyris: "I recommend this book with enthusiasm to professionals in all fields, to consultants, graduate students, and thoughtful managers. Schwarz has done an excellent job of integrating social science theories with valuable advice. He makes both come alive with rich, excellent examples." (Chris Argyris, author, Knowledge for Action) read more about this book on the 'Group Facilitation' shelf

The Complete Facilitator's Handbook
John Heron

Reviewed by Roger Greenaway: An odd combination of a very systematic approach mixed with an inspiring collection of creative ideas. You'll appreciate the tidy framework, the detailed examples and the temptations to experiment. John Heron was the Founder and Director of the Human Potential Research Project at the University of Surrey. This book (1999) updates and integrates his earlier books. (Roger Greenaway) Synopsis: This comprehensive guide is designed to provide the key to successful facilitation. Analytical in approach and highly structured, it aims to help facilitators both understand and develop their own personal style of facilitation. Combining a strong theoretical content, including a comprehensive group dynamic theory, with an extensive repertoire for practical action the book provides the essential foundations for building effective facilitative skills that suit both a facilitator's personality and then closely match the situations they encounter. (amazon.co.uk)

Book Description 1986 Winner of the Imogene Okes Award and the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education The first book to receive both the Imogene Okes Award and the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education presented by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. This book analyzes current approaches to adult learning and presents a comprehensive review of the research on how adults learn. - (Amazon.co.uk)

Book Description This book examines the role of psychology in informing adult education practice. It acknowledges the psychological dimension of adult education work, and explores this dimension in the context of the concerns of adult educators. The approach is to examine the seminal traditions of some key psychological theories and to discuss the issues and problems in applying them to an understanding of adult learning and development. The text is ideally suited for those who seek a critical understanding of psychological theory and research from the perspective of the adult educator. Synopsis This text examines the role of psychology in informing adult education practice. It acknowledges the psychological dimension of adult education work, and explores this dimension in the context of the concerns of adult educators. The approach is to examine the seminal traditions of some key pyschological theories and to discuss the issues and problems in applying them to an understanding of adult learning and development. This volume is ideally suited for those who seek a critical understanding of psychological theory and research from the perspective of the adult educator. (Amazon.co.uk) see review at amazon.co.uk

Book Description: This book is an accessible and jargon-free guide to the key concepts used in adult education and training. The author examines in detail forty-five of these concepts, ranging from core concepts such as education and development, to more specialist concepts like social capital and social inclusion. This new edition has been fully revised and updated in view of the recent surge of interest in concepts such as lifelong education and the learning society. All those involved in the field of adult education and training come into contact with specialist ideas or concepts on a daily basis. This book is designed for students and practitioners of adult education and training who wish to develop their understanding of these many associated concepts. At the end of each chapter there is also an annotated list of useful books or articles for those who would like to investigate particular concepts in more detail. Synopsis: The second edition of this bestselling book is updated to include changes in adult education such as lifelong learning, the impact of ICT on distance learning, globalisation and social inclusion. (Amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: Utilizing practical techniques for generating ideas and solving problems, this text examines the role, skills and processes of group facilitation, and will assist those concerned with enabling teams to succeed. (amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: A comprehensive guide covering alll stages of facilitation, from planning through to implementation. Interpersonal skill, including attitudes and values, and session skills, including energizing and problem solving, are all dealt with at length. (amazon.co.uk)

Understanding Facilitation:
Theory and Principles
Christine Hogan

Synopsis: This introduction to facilitation should provide educators and trainers with all they need to understand and develop facilitation skills. With a critical synthesis of established and current theory the book marries rigorous academic research with real world examples. (Amazon.co.uk)

Practical Facilitation:
A Toolkit of Techniques
Christine Hogan

Synopsis: This toolkit of facilitation techniques should provide readers with all they need to develop and hone their facilitation skills. Complete with case studies of the techniques in action the book covers traditional techniques and many new approaches such as the use of music, drama and storytelling. (Amazon.co.uk)

Facilitation
Trevor J Bentley

Synopsis: Facilitation is an innovative and stimulating book that guides you through the skills you need to help you develop as an effective facilitator. What makes this book unique is that it avoids being a simple 'how to' guide, but takes you on a journey through the facilitation skills the author, Trevor Bentley, has found essential in his own extensive experience. Chapter by chapter this book follows a real-life workshop facilitated by the author, from its inception to completion. In this way you are provided with living examples and illustrations of the high and low points of facilitation in practice. Entertaining and enlightening, this book will allow you to learn how to: ­ Cope with group facilitation methods that will help group members to work constructively together ­ Use intervention strategies to guide the group ­ Manage the interaction between all parties involved - between you and the group, and the members of the group. (amazon.co.uk) Reviews at amazon.co.uk or see the publisher's website

The Facilitation Toolkit
Sarah Cook

Described by the publisher (Fenman) as a 'pack' about the role of facilitation in business, including self study exercises for developing facilitation skills and session plans for running workshops. Of special interest to me is the chapter about "Facilitating the Review Process" in which the author advises: "if the group decline the invitation to review their performance then you have to respect their choice". (Hmmm ... there must be a third option.) Such issues really depend on the remit of the facilitator. If the overall purpose is to improve performance, then a group that declines to review their performance is seriously sabotaging the (agreed?) purpose and is closing the lid on "the facilitator's toolkit". Fortunately, the next chapter is about "dealing with difficult situations" - including conflict and sabotage! But I am not convinced that neutrality is possible or desirable in every situation. In a chapter on 'Neutrality', the author advises: "A facilitator needs to remain impartial, whatever the situation." I prefer John Heron's more versatile approach in 'The Complete Facilitator's Handbook' which gives the facilitator (and learners) greater freedom of movement, while also clarifying 'non-negotiables' i.e. points at which the facilitator chooses not to be neutral and impartial. Sarah Cook's 'Facilitation Toolkit' decribes a clean and safe approach to facilitation. It is a tidy place to start, perhaps too tidy. The high price tag allows unlimited photocopying of about half the pages for use in your own organisation. For the same price you could buy about 10 other books from this page for your facilitation library! (reviewed by Roger Greenaway)

Facilitating with Ease
Ingrid Bens

Synopsis: In this text the author, Ingrid Bens, delineates a well-defined set of practices and tools for meeting facilitation, providing the participants with the structure they need to identify their goals and develop their own action plans. Bens demonstrates how to stay neutral, synthesize ideas, summarize content, ask questions and manage digression. In this hands-on workbook and CD-ROM package, she also provides process tools for facilitating brainstorming, priority setting, root-cause analysis and systematic problem-solving. (Amazon.co.uk) See Garry Platt's review

Facilitation Made Easy:
Practical Tips to Improve Meetings and Workshops
Esther Cameron

Synopsis: The facilitator's task of opening up discussion, getting ideas into the open and setting broad future direction is essential if a group is to reach consensus on a particular outcome and it is now one of the key techniques used in meetings and workshops. This practical introduction to the essential skills needed should help readers to develop a facilitation style that is unbiased and non-manipulative - allowing them to be in control without being overpowering. With detailed examples, proven tips for success, checklists and a self-assessment guide to help readers test their own personal approach to facilitation, the book aims to help readers to: understand the facilitator's role; develop the ideal structure for workshops and meetings; control agendas and help to focus the outcome of meetings; and to deal with difficulties.(Amazon.co.uk)

Facilitating Empowerment:
A Handbook for Facilitators, Trainers and Individuals
Christine Frances Hogan

Synopsis: Empowerment is a term which has grown in use in community development and the business world. This volume seeks to detail the processes which individuals and groups can use in order to develop. It includes numerous exercises which are designed to enable adult learners to analyze their past experiences; change accepted definitions of power and empowerment; and develop strategies to address problems and projects in a more empowered way. Facilitators and trainers are encouraged to adopt and adapt the tools used in this book - tools that include card sorts, stories, myths, case studies, film analysis and personal stories from the author. (Amazon.co.uk)

The Facilitator's Fieldbook:
Step-by-Step Procedures * Checklists and Guidelines * Samples and Templates
Thomas Justice, David W. Jamieson

Synopsis: This text provides information on facilitating a meeting or conference. It focuses on how a group communicates and performs, and on how to solve such common problems as uneven participation or poor follow-up. (Amazon.co.uk) Reviews highlight the practical nature of this book.

Synopsis: Making participation work requires workshops, training and learning that are themselves participatory. This sourcebook makes easily accessible the author's experience in the field in the form of 21 sets of ideas, activites and tips, both serious and fun, for topics such as getting started, seating, forming groups, managing large numbers, analysis, feedback, evaluation and ending. (amazon.co.uk)

Making Workshops Work:
Ensure Your Workshops Create High-octane Interaction
Rob Yeung

Synopsis: Business psychologist Rob Yeung shows how to facilitate excellent workshops and focus groups using various techniques, tips and motivators. (Amazon.co.uk) Review: Detailed guide to running MUCH more interesting meetings. Excellent ideas for how to design a meeting to engage and interest participants as opposed to having them sit there and watch the clock, waiting for the meeting to end. Review: Good ideas on Roving Brainstorms and Six Thinking Hats - tools that get participants during meetings up on their feet, talking to each other, contributing ideas, and coming up with action plans. The early chapters of the book lay out the principles of workshop design fairly gently - but then the final chapter throws in a whole bucket of ideas that really add to the ideas quotient of the book. (part of a review at Amazon.co.uk) Good introduction to running focus groups and workshops. Well laid out book going through everything I needed to run a workshop... It gives you lots of tools to run workshops. And it is written in very straightforward English with almost no management jargon. (from a review at Amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: This book shows you how to influence a situation in the workplace without the direct use of power of formal authority. (amazon.co.uk)

Book Description: A practical and detailed account of our four years work with the `Method for Active Participation Research and Development Project' in several locations. Part II is a practical guide to participatory techniques and will be a valuable aid to all concerned with development projects at the grassroots level. Synopsis: Presents the results of the author's work with the Method for Active Participation Research and Development Project in several locations across Africa. It is also a practical guide to participatory techniques and should benefit those concerned with grass-roots development projects. (amazon.co.uk)

The Art of Facilitation:
How to Create Group Synergy
Dale Hunter, Anne Bailey, Bill Taylor

A clear and practical introduction to the art of facilitation. See the full book description and several enthusiastic customer reviews at the book's page at amazon.com

Tales for Trainers:
Using Stories and Metaphors to Facilitate Learning
Margaret Parkin

Synopsis: An introduction to using stories, anecdotes, metaphors and poetry to give training programmes more impact. It includes 50 tales that trainers can read aloud and a matrix showing which tales can be used in a variety of training sessions, such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. (Amazon.co.uk)

The Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision Making
Sam Kaner, Lenny Lind, Duane Berger, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk, Michael Doyle

Publisher's Synopsis: A training manual and sourcebook for facilitators, managers and leaders who want to encourage full participation, promote mutual understanding, and help groups build inclusive, sustainable agreements. It presents more than 200 valuable tools and skills and places them in the context of a lucid, realistic model of the dynamics of group decision-making. This Guide will help all facilitators improve their diagnostic judgement and increase their repertoire of methods and skills for supporting groups to make sound, saner decisions. See Paula Green's detailed and favourable review published in Fellowship July/August 1997

Book Description: Large Group Interventions presents a comprehensive overview of twelve of the most powerful methods of large group interventions in use today. This comprehensive guide describes the methods' origins, explores their differences and similarities, and presents vivid examples and case studies of each intervention method in action. Bring together as many as two thousand employees and customers in one location for activities as diverse as creating future direction, restructuring the organization, solving problems, and generating new ideas. Large Group Interventions covers: **A brief history of large group interventions **The search conference **Real-time strategic change **Participative design **Large group dynamics Large Group Interventions is the first and only book to present and compare different large group intervention methods and describe the situations and conditions under which each might be used. Synopsis: As more and more organizations shift from a traditional hierarchical structure to a more flexible and participate networking style, leaders are aware of the need for a decision-making process that reflects this style. Large group interventions can provide this process, bringing together as many as 2000 employees and customers together in one location for activities as diverse as solving a particular company problem or creating a vision of the organization's future. This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the 11 different models of large group intervention currently in practice. It explores their similarities and differences, describes their origins, and presents these methods with examples and case studies that give the reader first hand accounts of each intervention.

Managers As Facilitators
A Practical Guide to Getting Work Done in a Changing Workplace
Richard G. Weaver, John D. Farrell

Synopsis: This practical guide aims to teach managers facilitation skills. It provides leaders with the tools necessary to create change in the workplace. It presents an easy-to-understand model of facilitation which focuses on getting work done, and explains how to apply the concepts. The authors: We invested four years of our professional career in developing this book. It contrasts the roles of leader, manager and facilitator; offers a model which describes the role of facilitator; outlines guidelines for practical application of that role in work settings; presents a new way of conceiving of the role of facilitator as boundary management; and describes the role of facilitator in helping organizations create the kinds of changes they want. Reviews at amazon.co.uk

Synopsis: The aim of this book is to provide a step-by-step journey into Open Space. It begins by detailing all the practical considerations necessary for creating Open Space, and addresses the question, should you do Open Space at all? Types of situations are examined to illustrate which are appropriate for OST and which are not, and issues such as supplies, logistics and who should come and how to go about getting them there are explored. The "electronic connection" is also examined, this enables the creation of instant proceedings, simultaneous multi-site gatherings and more. Finally the reader is taken step-by-step through an Open Space event. Read this review of Open Space Technology by Jac Rongen

Expanding Our Now:
The Story of Open Space Technology
Harrison Owen

Synopsis: A stand-alone companion to "Open Space Technology: a User's Guide". OST aims to help produce better, more productive meetings and help groups achieve such organizational goals as self-managed work groups and distributed leadership. This book is an exploration of what OST is, how it developed as a process for meeting management and how and why it works all over the world for groups of all sizes dealing with a range of issues. The book also provides case studies, offering numerous examples to illustrate the evolution of OST.

The Reflective Practitioner:
How Professionals Think in Action
Schon, D.

Schon provides information on a subject that many practitioners are aware of but that few know how to put into words; intuition, what it is, and its regular use in daily professional practice. He gives voice to the practical aspects of intuitive practice and reflection in action that professionals from all genres utilize. (reviewed at Amazon.co.uk)

The Intuitive Practitioner:
On the Value of Not Always Knowing What One Is Doing
Terry Atkinson and Guy Claxton (Eds.)

Synopsis This volume investigates, both conceptually and empirically, the role of intuition in professional practice and its significance for professional development, especially within the world of education. The relationship between rationale or explicit ways of knowing and learning and inarticulate, intuitive or implicit ones is explored in the context of professional practice and development. The tendency to interpret "reflection" solely in terms of articulation is questioned and the value of other forms of reflection is reasserted. The working relationship between reason and intuition is illustrated in a variety of case studies in distinctive educational and professional settings. From this reassessment of intuition, practical lessons for the initial training and continuing professional development of educators and others are highlighted and extracted. (Amazon.co.uk) Is Intuition Relationally and Culturally Neutral? See Gonzalo Bacigalupe's review of 'The Intuitive Practitioner' to work out if you really want to know more about the value of not knowing more about something. It looks like a book for those who enjoy contradictions! (Roger Greenaway)

Freedom to Learn
Carl R. Rogers, H. Jerome Freiberg

"Teaching, in my estimation, is a vastly overrated function..... I see the facilitation of learning as the aim of education." Carl Rogers

Informal Education:
Conversation, Democracy and Learning
Tony Jeffs, Mark Smith

From the publisher: The writers explore how informal educators encourage conversation, democracy and learning. They also examine evaluation, working with process, living with values and planning. Each chapter includes a number of questions that help readers to explore their work. Further support is given on a set of linked web pages. Review extract: The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. See full review at amazon.co.uk

Principles And Practice Of Informal Education:
Learning Through Life
Linda Deer Richardson (Editor), Mary Wolfe (Editor)

Synopsis: This text is aimed at informal educators involved in youth work, community work, adult education and health promotion. The contributors explore the principles and practice of informal education and focus, in particular, on the notion of "working with" which is central to practice in this sector. The book argues for an approach which is relevant to a number of professional fields and which focuses on a way of working rather than upon a specific target group. Section one looks at the role of an educator and in particular in informal education and youth work settings. Section two studies what is meant by the term "working with" and what this involves. It looks at social, cultural and political contexts of education. Section three looks at the practical side of teaching, including the setting, programme planning, communication, activity-based work, one-to-one case work, formal group work, and managing the work load. Finally section four analyzes developing professional practice. Contributors discuss recording professional practice, the use of line management and supervision, and evaluation of work. (Amazon.co.uk)

Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning:
A Comprehensive Analysis of Principles and Effective Practices
Stephen D. Brookfield

Synopsis: The first book to receive both the Imogene Okes Award and the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education presented by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. Stephen D. Brookfield analyzes approaches to adult learning, presents a comprehensive review of the research on how adults learn, and proposes ways to develop more innovative adult learning programmes. (Amazon.co.uk) "The aim of facilitation is the nurturing of self directed, empowered adults. Such adults will see themselves as proactive, initiating individuals engaged in a continuous re-creation of their personal relationships, work worlds, and social circumstances rather than as reactive individuals, buffeted by uncontrollable forces of circumstance." Stephen D. Brookfield (1986: 9 - 10) See more quotes about facilitation from Stephen Brookfield at www.infed.org

Masterful Facilitation:
Becoming a Catalyst for Meaningful Change
Glenn Kiser

Synopsis: In the business arena facilitators help groups progress toward desired objectives, achieve meaningful change and ease the road to success. This text presents a five-phase approach for becoming a facilitator who can remove barriers to performance and get people and organizations "unstuck". (Amazon.co.uk) Effective facilitation is much more than meeting agendas and flipcharts. Helping individuals, groups and organizations get "unstuck" requires both fundamental skills and a systematic process. MF takes the mystery out of facilitation and provides an approach that gives you a real chance to achieve dramatic results. (You also get to see what happens when it doesn't turn out exactly as I had planned it!) Hope it helps you become a catalyst for lasting change!! (Additional comments by the author, Glenn Kiser) According to one reviewer this book is simpler than 'The Fifth Discipline' but has the same impact. See the full review.

The Learning Tactics Inventory:
Facilitator's Guide
Maxine Dalton, Center for Creative Leadership

Synopsis From some of the best minds in employee development comes an inventory that teaches individuals to understand how they learn best and how they can adopt new learning strategies.

The Essential Elements of Facilitation
Simon Priest, Michael A. Gass, Lee Gillis

This book received a very favourable review in the summer 2000 issue of the Journal of Experiential Education. You can learn about Simon Priest's line on facilitation at http://www.tarrak.com

Workshops:
Designing and Facilitating Experiential Learning
Jeff E. Brooks-Harris, Susan R. Stock-Ward

Synopsis: Grounded in sources as diverse as Kolb's model of experiential learning, Jung's model of psychological types, and The Wizard of Oz , Brooks-Harris (psychologist, U. of Hawaii-Manoa) and Stock-Ward (psychologist, U. of Akron) offer a practical approach to designing and running workshops. (amazon.co.uk)

The Facilitator's Toolkit
Maggie Havergal, John Edmonstone

Book Description: The Facilitator's Toolkit is a unique compendium of over 40 tools, techniques and approaches that anyone can use within teams and groups. Straightforward and practical, all of the tools can serve to improve and enliven team working, particularly in a workshop environment. Part One covers the role of a facilitator and the circumstances under which they can make a difference. The basic skills necessary for a facilitator are explained along with the introduction of this role into organizations. Part Two contains all of the facilitation tools assembled into groups which reflect their most frequent use: organizing, diagnosis and discussion, deciding, planning, managing people and their contribution, and dealing with problems and sabotage. Part Three shows how the toolkit can be put into action, first in preparing and designing workshops, and second through three case studies which link back directly to specific tools. (amazon.co.uk)

Appreciative facilitation emphasises what works well and pays attention to success and achievement. At its simplest, it involves catching students at their best moments and providing positive feedback about what they did or said. Alternatively you can invite positive comments from participants for each other following a group exercise. Or just ask, 'What is working well?'. Cheri Torres brings together her enthusiasm for appreciative facilitation and mobile ropes courses in 'The Appreciative Facilitator' (Torres, 2001). Her handbook includes summaries of key research supporting appreciative facilitation, such as the 'Pygmalion Effect' ('As the teacher believes the student to be, so the student becomes') and how watching videos of your own successful performances leads to much greater improvements than watching videos of your mistakes. Appreciative facilitation draws on ideas and principles from Appreciative Inquiry (an approach to organisation development) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy ('Be careful what you attend to. What you focus on expands.'). Appreciative facilitation fits well with outdoor education, both as a source of techniques and as a philosophy.

I'm OK - You're OK
Thomas A. Harris MD

Synopsis: A guide to transactional analysis. In non-technical language, it offers advice on gaining control of yourself, your relationships and your future, no matter what has happened in the past. (Amazon.co.uk)

Skilled Helper:
A Problem-management Approach to Helping
Gerard Egan

Synopsis: Aimed at helpers, this text emphasizes the collaborative nature of the therapist-client relationship and using a practical, three-stage model that drives client problem-managing and opportunity-developing action, leads readers step-by-step through the counselling process, while giving them a feeling for the complexity inherent in any helping relationship. As readers master the various steps of the helping model, they should be able to improve their competence and confidence measurably. (amazon.co.uk)

Educating the Reflective Practitioner:
Toward a New Design for Teaching and Learning in the Profession
Donald A. Schon

Book Description: Building on the concepts of professional competence that he introduced in his classic The Reflective Practitioner, Schon offers an approach for educating professional in all areas that will prepare them to handle the complex and unpredictable problems of actual practice with confidence, skill, and care. Synopsis: Schoen's text reveals how to prepare individuals to handle the complex and unpredictable challenges of real-life practice with confidence and skill. He shows that one can indeed cultivate the artistry that distinguishes master professionals - their ability to recognize when a problem cannot be handled in a standard way, to exercise sound judgment in the midst of uncertainty and to improvize creatively. And he describes how professional education programmes can be redesigned to foster such capabilities in future professionals. (amazon.co.uk)

101 Ways to Develop Your People Without Really Trying:
A Manager's Guide to Work Based Learning
Peter Honey

Experiential Learning Activities - Consulting and Facilitating
The Pfeiffer & Company Library, Vol 14

Helping Managers to Help Themselves
Hawdon Hague

Asking Questions
Ian MacKay

Synopsis: A guide to improving questioning skills, whether interviewing, appraising or exchanging ideas. The text includes the following topics: open questions; encouraging and drawing out speakers through supportive statements and interjections; avoiding counter-productive questions; using questions in a training context; and establishing facts through "direct" approaches. (Amazon.co.uk)

Smart Questions:
The Essential Strategy for Successful Managers
Dorothy Leeds

Synopsis: Covers training, problem solving, negotiating, delegating responsibility, corporate culture, performance appraisal, and advancement, and shows how to use questions to get results. (amazon.co.uk)

The 7 Powers of Questions:
Secrets to Successful Communication in Life and at Work
Dorothy Leeds

Book Description: This book helps readers bridge the gap between simply memorizing or blindly accepting information and the greater challenge of critical analysis and synthesis. It teaches them to respond to alternative points of view and develop a solid foundation for making personal choices about what to accept and what to reject as they read and listen. KEY TOPICS- Chapter titles include- The Benefit of Asking the Right Questions; What are the Issue and the Conclusion?; What Are the Reasons?; What Are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions?; Are There Any Fallacies in the Reasoning?; How Good Is the Evidence- Intuition, Appeals to Authority, and Testimonials?; and What Reasonable Conclusions Are Possible?. For any critical reader who wants to enhance and develop better reasoning skills in order to make rational decisions. (Amazon.co.uk) See these positive reviews.

101 Questions Your Dog Would Ask
Honor Head

The Mediator's Handbook
Jennifer E. Beer, Eileen Stief

Continuously in print for fifteen years, The Mediator's Handbook provides a time-tested, flexible model for effective mediation in diverse environments and situations. Jennifer Beer is a creative thinker. Don't expect dry advice you already understand. Expect to be stimulated and challenged. (reviewed by a reader at Amazon.co.uk)

Make Peace with Anyone
David J. Lieberman

Synopsis: Make Peace With Anyone is the first book that shows readers how to quickly resolve anything from a simple disagreement to a decades-long estrangement. In this book readers will learn: How to end any family feud; How to deal with office tiffs; What to do when someone stops talking to you; The 30-second technique to handle any passive/aggressive person; What to do when you're in the wrong; What to do when you're only partially at fault; Dealing with the teenage/parent conflict; How to get anyone to forgive you for anything; Using simple techniques and clear psychology, Dr David Lieberman provides the path to permanent peace. (Amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: An enlightening look at how peaceful communication can create compassionate connections with family, friends, and other acquaintances. The book uses stories, examples, and sample dialogues to provide solutions to communication problems both at home and in the workplace. Guidance is provided on identifying and articulating feelings and needs, expressing anger fully, and exploring the power of empathy in order to speak honestly without creating hostility, break patterns of thinking that lead to anger and depression, and communicate compassionately. These non-violent communication skills are fully explained and can be applied to personal, professional, and political differences. Included in this new edition is information on how to compassionately connect with oneself. (Amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: This companion workbook to 'Nonviolent Communication' provides reviews, activities, and brief assignments that complement the liberating principles of utilising nonviolent communication in everyday life. Support for group practice includes guidance for getting started, curriculum and activities for each chapter, and strategies for incorporating into the learning process many of the challenges that commonly arise in group situations. Additionally, teachers can use the material as the basis for developing courses or to augment an existing curriculum. Extensive reference and resource sections allow further research and follow-up study. (Amazon.co.uk)

E-moderating: the key to teaching and learning online
Gilly Salmon

Synopsis: Set in the context of the development and combination of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and the wide impact these are having on teaching in open and distance learning, this text considers what is required of a good moderator and presents practical information for their training and development. The book also introduces the reader to current thinking in online computer-mediated education, exploring the role of the trainer, teacher or tutor as moderator and also explains how to set up an online environment that will maximize the success of the moderator when working with students online. (Amazon.co.uk)

Facilitating Online Learning:
Effective Strategies for Moderators
George Collison, Bonnie Elbaum, Sarah Haavind, Robert Tinker