Full course description
Course summary:
Meetings come in all shapes and sizes, from the convention to a quick huddle in an office hallway. This course will be concerned with small working meetings; with groups that have a job to do requiring the energy, commitment, and talents of those who participate. Members of such a group want to get some kind of result out of their time together: solving problems, brainstorming, or simply sharing information. At its best, such a group knows what it is about, and knows and utilizes the strengths of individual members.
This course will give you the skills to lead an effective meeting of any size. Topics covered include: how to prepare for meetings, develop agendas, lead a meeting, differentiate between process and content, use facilitation skills in a meeting, and manage difficult participants.
Course objectives:
After completing this course, learners should be able to:
- Understand the value of meetings as a management tool.
- Recognize the critical planning step that makes meeting time more effective.
- Identify process tools that can help create an open and safe forum for discussion.
- Develop and practice techniques for handling counterproductive behaviors.
Recommended background:
No additional background knowledge or skills are required for this course.
Course topics include:
- The Basics for Effective Meetings
- Holding Productive Meetings
- Preparing for Meetings
- Agendas
- Leading a Meeting
- Process and Content
- How to Control a Meeting
Elements of the course:
- Informational text
- Interactive practice activities
- Supplemental reference materials
- Final assessment
This course is self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the course as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing all course content and activities, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Course creators:
This course was designed and developed by the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, using content from Velsoft.
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the course timeframe.