This weekend, we worked with a guest Facilitator named Danny. Danny came to us from Bristol, UK, to facilitate topics of experiential learning, focusing on changing perspectives and connecting through nature.
We started off with a walking game. The group was instructed to walk around the room, conscious not to create walking patterns, and to make eye contact and smile at the other group members. Danny told he group when to walk faster, and stop. Then, Danny told everyone in the group to choose one person as their "opposite." This was a person to avoid whilst walking around the space. Then, everyone was told to choose a "shield," a person that had to be between the individual and the opposite, at all times. The group experienced changes in perspectives during the game that were relatable to how we walk around daily, but in a safe space. For example, many compared the energy necessary to avoid a person to the same futile amount of energy we spend in real life avoiding certain people we may hold judgements against.
We then discussed experiences and the steps of the Experiential Learning Cycle. As the picture below shows, the steps of this cycle are necessary to create a meaningful experience for people. As Danny would say, following this cycle is important in creating experiences for people from which they can draw "golden nuggets," the "aha moments" that make the experience significant for each person. The Experiential Learning Cycle is the articulation of what all facilitators usually attempt to facilitate in workshops. It is the facilitator's job to always be aware of the group's energy, and to plan the experiences ahead of time. It is up to the facilitator to have previously experienced the experience they hope to have a group undergo.
We talked about how one can get reflective and creative feedback from the members of an experience. We discussed the varying importances for experiencing particular workshops more than once. We discussed what experiences take place on the street and in the world daily that can influence our creative and reflective senses constructively. We discussed what can constitute an experience, and what experiences can be considered interventions.
In part, we also discussed something called the Great Turning. The idea comes from Joanna Macey, author of "The Work That Reconnects." The idea can be represented with the cycle drawn below. The Great Turning refers to the process of turning from one way of working and living to another, like the various revolutions of our world: from the Agricultural Revolution to the Industrial Revolution and to the Technological Revolution. The Turning starts with Gratitude, as it's the important moment of awareness one can have in recognizing their situation or revolution.
Our group discussed each step, and what each involve; like, how being grateful goes deeper than appreciation, and how being grateful inherently ruins capitalism. The group asked what it takes to act in society. We asked each other why act? Why not act? How do we act? We all agreed that acting on certain issues related to development education can start in the home--with one's own family--and can happen even internally in one's mind. Also, the group discussed different types of engaging, like resisting, collaborating, fighting, etc. We talked about how resistance as engagement entails existence. Exist and Resist are like twin parts.
Then, Danny showed the group an appropriated video version of the "Greatest Speech Ever Made," from Charlie Chaplin's speech as Hitler in"The Great Dictator" (1940). The maker of the video matched the speech with imagery, so the video was like a compilation of other video clips that complimented the speech. The video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXh3Ob_zDhs
After watching the video, the group discussed their opinions. Some felt the video content could be seen as too biased or poignant, at times. We discussed the delicacy of expressing our opinions publicly, and how our opinions can always be misinterpreted--or interpreted differently than expected. We considered how to work with desensitized audiences, and the importance of gauging what audiences already think and believe.
Danny used this video as an example of "warming up" and "cooling down" an existing issue or work. These are strategies for repurposing an issue or work, like the video does to the original "Greatest Speech Ever Made." When "cooling down" an issue or work, one might create something to counter/reduce the attention an existing work is receiving. When "warming up," one might elevate the buzz are an existing issue or work to reach another outcome. Like the video example, sometimes "warming up" and "cooling down" can be significantly productive for activists.
We attempted a walk to the nearby park, but due to the weather we walked back to our building. So, from our brief walks we were all asked to recall one image that we mentally captured. To practice a Close Noticing Activity, we were asked to write automatically about the image we saw on our walk. The image was obviously different for each person. We each tried to write about the image for 2 minutes.
Then, Danny explained to us the next to steps in making the recalling of an image an activity in Close Noticing. The first step was to select a scene that one's psyche collected from the walk. The second step was to write about it or create a product about the image. Then, from that product, one is to select what portions of the product they like the most. Lastly, one is to examine those factors selected and determine what they have an affinity to, given what they liked about the image and what the image included. This locating of signs for each person's personal affinities is productive in helping individuals realize aspects of themselves, and how they can harness those affinities to move forwardly productively and creatively.
After this reflective exercise, we warmed up to making our own speeches by telling stories. We partnered up and played a storytelling game called, "Change!" In this game, one partner begins by telling their partner a story. (Starting with an already existing story helps.) Then, when the listening partner desires, they can call, "Change!" at which the narrating partner must change the direction of their story, usually by changing the last direct thing they said. The point is to never stop talking and to get creative in the ways the story changes. Then the partners switch roles. This game was hilarious for all!
After this warm-up activity, we began workshopping our own speeches. Danny went over the components of a Connected Speech--an articulate, pointed, and powerful speech. To create a Connected Speech, one should follow the 5 S's: Stand, Smile, Speak, Stay, and Sit. Stay means that at the end of one's speech, one should Stay and receive the applause instead of running away as soon as completing speaking. This step is important in encouraging people to receive the praise and credit they deserve. After this, one may Sit. A Connected Speech should also include Beginning, Middle and End points. And lastly, the speaker should create a speech that includes Delivery, Content, and Structure in a comfortable mix.
Each of us worked in our journals on a 30 second speech on something that matters to us. We were to support each other in small groups in the planning process, and then give individual speeches to the whole group. This task was intimidating for many. Needless to say, each of us was pleasantly surprised when we finally condensed our material to share, outlined the material into an important structure for Connected Speech, and finally spoke aloud to the group.
We were also encouraged by Danny to follow these steps to make ultimate speakers: Be yourself, Give good eye contact, Structure your talk, Keep it simple, Use the power of the pause, Speak from the heart to be heard, Keep to time, Project your voice, Be animated, and Practice Practice Practice!
After each individual's speech, the group offered a point that was Wonderful, something to Improve on, and something to include/do Next time: W.I.N.
We ended the day after each individual gave their speeches on what matters most to them. We were all inspired by each other's opinions and deliveries!
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