Experiential Training: Practical Guidelines

Experiential learning, sometimes known as participative learning, is a process which directly acknowledges, values and uses the existing knowledge and competence of those being taught. Its use is particularly appropriate where the subject matter touches on people's deeply held beliefs and attitudes, or involves emotionally charged or value-laden material. Experiential Training: Practical Guidelines explores how to train people in areas which are particularly emotionally, and therefore intellectually, challenging.

The topics dealt with in Experiential Training: Practical Guidelines--death and dying, sexuality, communication, personal limitations--have been chosen because they present a challenge to most people. The contributors, recognized experts in their fields, provide detailed descriptions of how to design training courses for these problem areas and how such courses work out in practice. The book concludes with two important chapters on evaluating change and development through workshops and the practical guidelines necessary for effective workshop practice.

Because this book adopts a participative learning approach, it is a powerful tool in helping people integrate their own emotional and practical experiences and competence, while at the same time learning from others in group settings. It enables them to come to appreciate realities which previously they had not been aware of, often having been blinded by deeply ingrained beliefs, attitudes and values. Experiential Training: Practical Guidelines will be invaluable to all professionals employed in health care, personal social service and education.