Online Course: Group Process Guidelines for Leading Groups and Classes

Many group leaders are new to the process of leading groups; and many group leaders  never were trained formally in the skills of conducting a group, but rather they learned how to run a group on-the-job by observing a co-worker or a supervisor. This online course provides some guidelines for teachers and leaders of groups that are knowledge-based or skills-based.

Regardless of the type of group being led; all groups require the leaders to perform skills before the group in preparation for the group or class, during the group while conducting the group or teaching the class, and after the group for following-up the group or class activities. This online course is organized into lectures that outline these preparation, delivery, and follow-up skills. Information is included that explains this series of group process skills as well as some examples and exercises to practice the skills. One lecture is devoted to promoting peer leadership and specifically discusses the unique skills that peer leaders bring to a group or class.

Throughout the online course, you will be asked to think of a group or class that you currently lead or are planning to lead in the future. Be specific about identifying a particular group or class that will be the focus for your practice exercises throughout this online seminar. At the end of each lecture is a checklist that may be used by individual group leaders as a self-assessment tool to assess their own group process skills, and it may be used by supervisors as an evaluation tool.

Goals
It is anticipated that seminar participants will achieve the following goals. Participants will learn how to:

• Plan for a group or class activity
• Conduct a group or class activity
• Encourage participation
• Promote peer leadership
• Follow up a group or class activity