1&d.online

Training & Development, April, 2001 by Ryann K. Ellis

COMMUNITY

Every week, T&D posts a question on the ASTD Web-site (www.astd.org) that asks visitors what they think about the training field.

A controversy started when one visitor innocently asked, "What's the difference between training and facilitation?"

You could say that a trainer manages instruction, information, and practical skills that can be measured against a defined standard. A facilitator guides people toward knowledge, insight, and awareness.

Basically, a trainer deals in instruction, a facilitator deals in learning. But all instructors are a little bit of both. There's no conflict between the two. Which role the instructor chooses depends on the overall objective.

Michel W

Here's a simplistic view: A trainer is a facilitator. However, a trainer is responsible for content as well as the process. A facilitator is responsible for the process design, but he or she doesn't own the content.

Diane

In a purely practical business sense, when I'm hired as a trainer, the client expects me to show up with a predesigned program with defined learning objectives. When I'm hired as a facilitator, the client expects me to lead a discussion group toward reaching an undefined decision about a predetermined topic.

Katrina Kennedy

Training is putting information into learners. Facilitation is pulling information out of participants.

K. Whiteside

According to Webster's, training is "to instruct or condition to some manner of behavior or performance; to make proficient through special instruction and drill." That definition carries a strong suggestion of behavior modification, with or without a true understanding of the implications. In the field, we don't define training in that light. To us, training encompasses learning and understanding.

Facilitation is a technique used to enhance the learning experience and improve its success. To many trainers, facilitation means allowing participants to construct their own learning with guided activities and exercises. Learning becomes discovery rather than lessons delivered.

Pat Lake

At the risk of being contrary, I don't think there's a difference between good training and facilitation. Indeed, the topic has generated some debate at my office where we've recently changed several job titles.

Training seems to be the newest whipping post in a line of teaching terminology. I have heard people say that trainers teach dogs tricks, facilitators enlighten people.

A trainer is responding to a performance need that's linked to a skill or knowledge gap. Effective training yields a worker who can complete all job-related tasks. A facilitator merely leads a group of individuals down a predetermined path of dialogue.

Steve Fitzgerald

I hate to say it, but it's I like comparing apples to oranges.

Using a variety of tools and techniques, trainers impart performance skills to learners. They also serve as mentors and coaches.

By contrast and definition, facilitators make things easy. They assist a team or workgroup in achieving its mission by focusing on the process rather than content to develop and implement interventions. Professional facilitators are skilled in conflict management, effective communication, and so on.

Unfortunately, there are many unskilled charlatans calling themselves trainers or facilitators who erode the credibility of both roles.

Tony Cocove

Facilitation is one method by which training is performed, but there are many different subforms:

* Kingdom = training

* Phylum = facilitation

* Class = group simulations

* Order = organization development.

We could probably debate the semantics, but I believe that this is the idea.

Todd Weatherly

One advantage to changing terminology is that the words focus our attention on assumptions and practices related to our work: What's the best methodology? What are valuable learning objectives? Those questions fuel the field regardless of title or how long the terms are popular. Close examination and evaluation of our work can only be a benefit.

Aaron

I also think that terminology is the real culprit here. The only measurable quantity is the amount of learning that a trainer or facilitator has been able to impart to learners. If that purpose is served, it hardly matters whether one is called a trainer or a facilitator.

Interestingly, in the realm of e-learning, the term facilitator is the norm, but the term trainer is used for classroom settings. Is that a possible distinction?

Shan

Here's something to think about: If we don't know the difference between a trainer and a facilitator, how can we expect others to?

Karl Mindeman