Retooling the Facilitator Toolbox for Learning
MedEdPearls February 2022: Consider how thoughtful questioning and nonverbal communication can enhance your effectiveness as a facilitator in a flipped classroom.
In the shift to the Learning Paradigm and a flipped classroom approach, learners acquire prerequisite knowledge before attending an in-class session with peers while faculty assume a guide/facilitator role. This facilitator role requires tools for educators to skillfully foster effective verbal and nonverbal communication with learners. Topperzer et al. (2021) indicate that thoughtful questions (tip 10) can be posed to stimulate thinking, guide discussion, and encourage bidirectional communication and engagement with learners. The authors outline question categories (specific, clarifying, open, probing, and confrontational) with examples that facilitators can use to promote learner reflection.
Nonverbal communication is also key to cultivating a robust learning environment. Hale et al. (2017) offer 12 nonverbal tips for medical educators and provide basics on body language that encourages thinking (tip 5) and enhances questions and participation (tip 7) among learners to support an engaged learning environment.
What facilitation tools do you have in your toolbox? Share them on LinkedIn using #MedEdPearls!
About the MedEdPearls Author
The MedEdPearls are a collaborative, peer-reviewed, monthly brief intended to provide practical tips and strategies for medical and health professions educators to enhance teaching and learning.
Jennifer Hillyer
PhD
- Executive Director, Institute for Teaching Excellence
- Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Jean Bailey, PhD – Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Carrie Bowler, EdD, MS, MLSCM (ASCP) – Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development
- Kristina Dzara, PhD, MMSc (Educators ’16; Assessment ’16; HCE 2.0 ’17) – Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- Shanu Gupta, MD, SFHM – University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Tampa General Hospital
- Jennifer Hillyer, PhD – Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Larry Hurtubise, PhD, MA (HCE 2.0 '16) – The Ohio State University
- Anna Lama, EdD, MA – West Virginia University School of Medicine
- Machelle Linsenmeyer, EdD, NAOME (Assessment ’07) – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Skye McKennon, PharmD, BCPS, ACSM-GEI – Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
- Rachel Moquin, EdD, MA – Washington University School of Medicine
- Stacey Pylman, PhD – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
- Leah Sheridan, PhD – Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Lonika Sood, MBBS, MHPE – Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
- Mark Terrell, EdD – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Stacey Wahl, PhD – Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Harvard Macy Institute
Harvard Macy Institute
The Harvard Macy Institute educates, connects, and serves health care leaders around the globe by providing advanced faculty development programs, thought leadership, and impactful networking opportunities.
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