Open Space Technology

Facilitation
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#1

“Open space” is a pretty simple idea -> have people form and host peer-led discussions around topics that are of most interest to them at the moment. In my experience, it works best when you have a large group (for example a learning circle with 15 people or more would work well. Also when you train a large group of 40-50 people it works perfectly.

I like the four principles and one law of Open Space:
The four principles are:

  1. Whoever comes are the right people
  2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
  3. When it starts is the right time
  4. When it’s over it’s over

The Law is known as the Law of Two Feet:

“If you find yourself in a situation where you are not contributing or learning, move somewhere where you can.”

(Taken from Chris Corrigan’s explanation of Open Space)

#2

@Juliana_Muchai @Miriam_Mureithi This is what we were talking about regarding “open space”.

#3

Thank you Nico for sharing. This is similar to un-conference.

Very useful

#4

Hi Miriam. I assume you meant un-conference? Probably your auto-correct with a subtle sense of humor :slight_smile:

#5

Dear Dirk,

Sure, I meant un-conference :thinking:.

Thank you for the correction

#6

yes open space is more of the “method” or process for an unconference. Hopefully, it’s not inconvenient! :grin: