Optimax 2016 : peer observation of facilitation

Abstract

In August 2016, a 3-week research Summer Schoolwas delivered at University of Salford. The SummerSchool, known as ‘OPTIMAX’ was in its fourth yearof delivery. Previous iterations were held in theNetherlands (2015), Portugal (2014) and Salford (2013).The purpose of OPTIMAX is to facilitate collaborativeinternational and interdisciplinary research betweenuniversity academics and students. This offers anexceptional opportunity not only for students, but alsofor tutors who want to develop their facilitation skills.The project reported here used tutor observers(i.e. tutors who attend the summer school, in anobservational capacity only, to develop their ownskills as teachers) to observe, identify and reflect on arange of facilitation practices for managing the diverseOPTIMAX research groups. The project presentsa description of the peer-observation method weused and highlights a number of findings relatedto facilitator strategies that appeared to influencegroup dynamics and learning. These observationsare then used to make recommendations about howOPTIMAX tutors can be prepared for their facilitationexperience