Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix


About the Author xi


1. Introduction: Direct Education for Adult Learning Groups 1


Part I The Learning Group and the Individual


2. The Role of the Individual and the Group in Direct Education 13


3. Harnessing the Power of Intention 20


4. Strengthening the Container: Subgroups Join the Mix 31


5. The Secret Life of Groups 42


Part II Diversity, Difference, and Emotions in Group Learning


6. Acknowledging Difference to Accelerate Learning 55


7. Diversity and Conflict Styles 66


8. Social Class and Diversity 72


9. Authenticity, Emotion, and Learning 80


Part III Designing Learning Experiences


10. Structures for Organizing the Content 95


11. Building on What the Learners Know 109


12. Learning Difficult Material 117


13. Sequencing for Maximum Impact 126


14. Accountability in Direct Education 134


15. Emergent Design: Facilitating in the Here and Now 145


Part IV Facilitation


16. Setting the Tone and Building Safety 155


17. Edgy Interventions to Accelerate Learning 168


18. The Power of Framing 179


19. Sensitivity in Cross-Cultural Issues 189


20. The Drama of Transformational Work 211


21. Conclusion: Bringing It All Together 227


Resources


Appendix A: The Sustainable Educator: Advocacy, Modesty, and Diversity of Gifts 241


Appendix B: The Sustainable Educator: Resilience and Revolution 248


Appendix C: For Further Reading 256


Appendix D: Tools and Resources for Direct Education 266


References 271


Index 279

About the Author

George Lakey is visiting professor and research fellow for the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and cofounder of the nonprofit Training for Change. He is the author or coauthor of eight books including Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership and A Manual for Direct Action.