Is there a difference between a teacher and a facilitator?

Are you kidding me? Aside from spelling, that is, a facilitator usually uses what may be perceived as adult learning... Now this need not be perceived as a-dull-t learning, and most adults can voice their opinions quite well - thus facilitating is often more interactive with the audience.

On the other hand, being a teacher has with it a perceived authority to shape minds - to add to the font of knowledge that a student may find necessary in latter life (though I confess to wondering why I had to know such things as the periodic table, algebraic - or trigonometric equations for that matter). A teacher needs to teach what he/she knows of a particular subject, though mostly by following a pre-arranged curriculum or guide. Said teacher need also adjust his/her style with the learning capacity of his/her students you would expect a different approach to be had for pre-K, Primary, Intermediate, High School and College students.

A facilitator normally has, as an audience, people who are relatively older than your average students, thus he/she may apply a be more free wheeling discussion (on the assumption that . He or she can take the talk into any manner of passageway so long as it eventually reaches (or is brought back to) the topic on hand. See, a facilitator needs to get the audience to speak up - to get their ideas across. Its not to let them learn a new thing, its to let them get organized in any discussions they feel they have to do - with the explicit understanding of gathering ideas or answers to a specific issue/problem/situation.

Now - before I give off a different impression that I'm looking down to the teaching profession, I'm certainly not. My seeming outburst at the start was more of surprise - rather than sarcasm. I respect the teachers and the role they play in shaping the minds of any society's future. I wouldn't mind teaching myself - in fact, I can say that I do teach - just in a different arena. I, rather, see them as colleagues - they shape their students' minds and then I handle their finished products (graduates) to further sharpen their knowledge and skills (or even attitudes).

So yes, there is a difference - but we're definitely on the same side - sort of like a police officer and a fireman, same team - but with specific functions.

What is a facilitator?

What exactly is a facilitator, one might ask. What does he/she do? I can only answer the question with what I do. I act as a guide, resource person, emcee (that is, master of ceremonies - but in a more informal manner), discussion leader and even a sounding board for any participant in a training or meeting.

If a training - yes, I can be considered the trainer... if meeting, I can be called the discussion leader, parliamentarian or even the person who gets to make sure the meeting progresses - as it should, and not get stalled for lack of process, understanding or cooperation.

Sounds important? Definitely! Necessary? You bet! Most meetings and trainings have their effectiveness dependent on such a competent person.

That being said, how have I been able to facilitate my trainings? (Yes, I am more a training facilitator than a meeting facilitator - though I readily must say I can handle meetings equally well, if given the chance) I would have to say that I do quite well.

Now before I am accused of egotistical characteristics, let me point out three reasons why i say this.

1) I have been an experienced training facilitator for more than a decade and a half
2) I have, on occasion, been part of training the trainers programs - and have proven both to my facilitators, and my fellow participants that I am a world class facilitator
3) My trainings have, when applicable (or necessary) had evaluations or feedback from our participants, and I have constantly rated high on my participants marks.

This Blog will be a venue for my feedback - my comments about what I am facilitating. As I enter my views, I will try to preserve any client confidentiality by sticking to acronyms when such can keep certain items or people a secret - as my main client is a very well known firm... one that is jealous of its security and confidentiality.