Author/Editor:
William Hancy
Janis Cooper
Language:
English
Industry:
Community, Education, For-profit Business (Corporate), Government, Military, Non-profit Business
Organization:
David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry | Stiller School of Business | Champlain College, EQnimity, LLC
Downloadable Files:
Resource Type
Facilitation Materials
William Hancy, the Director of Operations, David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry and Janis Cooper, owner of EQnimity, facilitated an interactive workshop at the 1st International Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) Conference at the Calvin Center in Hampton, Georgia. Their workshop, titled, “Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Equine Experiential Learning” introduced attendees to appreciative inquiry (AI) in combination with horses. Through a hands-on activity, William and Janis demonstrated how AI could help increase the value of (appreciate) learning in equine experiential learning (EAL) to achieve change at both the individual and group levels. The workshop consisted of three parts: an introduction to appreciative inquiry, an activity involving two groups of people leading a horse through an obstacle course, and a debriefing of that activity. Known EAL protocols were applied during the activity to mirror practitioners’ typical experiences. After the activity, all attendees participated in the debriefing asking generative questions that overlaid a model familiar to EAL practitioners (see attachment). The intent of the questions was to generate thoughts and ideas that inspired participants to move toward strength-based results. Please watch this video to hear a testimonial on how this workshop succeeded in making equine experiential learning activities even more engaging and life changing: