Group management is a subject of interest to both coordinators who deal with groups of teachers/trainers and teachers/trainers who deal with students/trainees in the classroom. Managing a group can sometimes be difficult due to the dynamics that develop between members of the group itself or because of specific issues that each group member may bring. The course therefore aims to provide tools for coordinators and trainers to manage group dynamics in such a way that it becomes the instrument, the means and indeed the objective of the training itself.
Course outline:
• Psychosocial groups: definition, uses (for training, learning, consultation, etc.) and functions in group work (Lewin & Rogers);
• Group dynamics: inclusion vs. exclusion; competition vs. cooperation; centrality vs. marginalisation;
• Group-thinking: polarising effects of cohesion and conformity;
• Techniques for managing group phenomena (dynamics, arguments, complaints, etc.), such as involvement, comparison, discussion, group referencing and motivation.