How to keep the group engaged is very important

Adults do not like to sit by passively for hours while they are "lectured at" by another adult.  Group dynamics should include no more than 20 minutes of instruction before some opportunity for interaction or practical application of the previous material is presented to the group.  This might be a discussion question, a group project, a skit, a questionnaire, or a writting opportunity.  It is the facilitator's opportunity to gauge the best methods to use within the unique personalities of each group.  The enthusiastic response of the group to particular training methods is a great indication of what works.  Here is another quick tip:  watch the eyes of the members in group.  If a person does not blink about every five seconds, he or she is not listening.   The person may be looking straight at the facilitator and even nodding his head, but no blinking means the person is thinking about something else other than what the facilitator is saying.  It is the facilitator's responsibility to re-engage that person by a variety of techniques -- change the tone of voice, get up and move around, ask a question, tell an appropriate joke, tell a story or maybe take a break.  Facilitation means being responsive and flexible to adapt the material to the group not the other way around.