Asynchronous Book Party for Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality by Tolu Noah

Even though it's been a whole year, it still feels surreal to have this book out in the world! Words cannot express how grateful I am to you for your support, whether that was by buying the book, requesting the book for your local library, reading the book, recommending the book to a friend, doing a book club, posting a review on Amazon, or attending this asynchronous book party.

It's been such a joy to hear from readers over the past year, and I've saved each and every message I've received in a special document that I revisit from time to time. One of the themes I've noticed in readers' responses is that the book was both affirming and inspiring. That is, it affirmed the great facilitation practices they were already using while sparking some new ideas. I'm really grateful that the book struck this balance, as we all have things we're doing well and areas where we can grow or explore new possibilities.

My hope is that the book will be a helpful companion as you continue your facilitation journey. I hope you'll share the great insights and strategies you're using as well so that we can all learn from each other.

With deep gratitude,

Tolu

4D. Game #2: My book introduces a model called the Workshop Wheel, which includes ten principles to be intentional about when designing and facilitating workshops. Visit the linked image below to see if you can find all ten principles in the Padlet Arcade word search.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 04:04:48 UTC

(Note: An printable version of the word search is also available if you would prefer to complete the activity that way.)

3A. Take a moment to grab a favorite snack or beverage to enjoy while you're here. If you wish, you can share what you're snacking on or drinking by adding a comment to this post or adding a new post to this column.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 04:08:09 UTC

7A. Here is a photo gallery of key milestones in my book writing journey. You can use the arrows or dots below the gallery to flip between the photos. Additional context about each photo is provided below.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 04:48:37 UTC

Photo 1 (November 29, 2023): I signed my book contract with Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
Photo 2 (October 31, 2024): I submitted my manuscript to the publisher.
Photo 3 (June 15, 2025): I received my author copies.
Photo 4 (June 24, 2025): Publication day!

7C. Do you have photos that you've taken of or with my book? If so, feel free to add a new post to this column with your book photo/selfie.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 04:53:14 UTC

1C. The "agenda" for this asynchronous book party has 11 parts (which are listed at the top of each column on this Padlet board). Scroll down each column to read and complete any activities you wish!

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 05:54:49 UTC

9A. Feel free to bookmark my Favorite Facilitation Things page (linked in the image below) for recommended books, podcasts, websites, and other resources that you can use in your facilitation journey.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 06:16:44 UTC

Not ready to leave yet? No worries. Feel free to stay for the after-party. Click on the linked image below to join the after-party in Padlet Sandbox.

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 06:35:40 UTC

7B. Here's a video of me unboxing my books for the very first time!

drtnoah — 2026-06-24 07:52:45 UTC

Hi all

2026-06-24 19:31:22 UTC

Hi everyone, my name is Carter Moulton (he/him). I work at the center for teaching and learning at Colorado School of Mines, and we read this book as part of our ongoing PD. I really appreciated the practical strategies, creative ideas for structuring gatherings that I hadn't thought about, and, obviously, the sense of passion throughout the book! My favorite thing about facilitating workshops is when you can feel that sense of collective energy toward a shared goal.

2026-06-24 19:45:49 UTC

Hi, I’m Olamide. My favorite thing about facilitating workshops is seeing people connect over common ground in real time!

Hello

louisejaynerees — 2026-06-24 19:55:36 UTC

I'm Louise Rees. I work at Swansea University in the UK as an educational developer.

I try to facilitate workshops that are active and enable participants to discuss topics meaningfully..and build connections where possible

Catherine

2026-06-24 20:59:10 UTC

When participants move from hesitancy or trepidation to deep engagement

Scott

y6vp4fgbkn — 2026-06-25 03:56:01 UTC

I am Scott Moss. I like it when workshop participants have new ways of applying what they learned in a meaningful context. :-)

Mirjam

mirjam_glessmer — 2026-06-25 05:48:17 UTC

Hi! I am Mirjam Glessmer, an academic developer at Lund University in Sweden. My favourite part is actually the anticipation and preparation of hosting: How can I invite participants so they know what to expect but also feel that they can influence what's going to happen so it becomes most meaningful to them? How can I make them feel welcome when they arrive? What kind of artifacts can we create so that we have physical reminders of what they thought and learned (I am a big fan of, for example, providing print-out worksheets well in advance of online workshops so participants can take notes or doodle; writing letters to future selves that I send out weeks or months later; playing with creating "fortune tellers" or similar gimmicks); this kind of stuff. During the actual workshop, outside of explaining the structures and tasks I have planned, I prefer to take a step back and let participants take what I am offering and shape it into what is most meaningful to them, and only offer support.

Megan Duncan Jones, MA

2026-06-25 15:33:09 UTC

Hello friends! I am an Instructional & Media Technologist with Cal State Northridge - it's great to be here!

Congratulations, Tolu! I'm so excited to celebrate with you asynchronously!

My favorite thing about facilitating workshops, is being honored to witness the AHA moments as different individuals recognize the potential of the technology to resolve some of their stressors - especially if they were initially hesitant to expand their technology repeitoire.

Michael Sanchez, MA

2026-06-25 19:40:13 UTC

My name is Michael Sanchez. I am an instructional designer for the College of the Arts at CSUF.

I absolutely love to make authentic connections with faculty when facilitating workshops. I feel that once this happens, trust is built, and we can move to deeper conversations about how to facilitate teaching and learning.

Jillian

alexanderjm3 — 2026-06-26 18:20:44 UTC

Hello! I'm Jillian Alexander. I'm the Director of First Year Experience and Lecturer for the College of Business & Technology at East Tennessee State University. I also work as an Associate for the university's Center for Teaching Excellence.

My favorite part of facilitating a workshop is seeing participants connect content to something they are working on and get excited to put it into practice! Like Megan, those AHA moments bring me so much joy.

4C. Check to see if your answer was correct here:

drtnoah — 2026-06-27 03:53:19 UTC

Michele

mdipietr — 2026-06-27 09:06:17 UTC

Hi Tolu, it's Michele DiPietro from Kennesaw. I think of workshops as parties and I love the excitement of preparing for them, designing an experience my friends/participants will enjoy and will broaden their horizons.

mdipietr — 2026-06-27 09:07:30 UTC

I am in a hotel room in Spain, but I will go out later and toast your book birthday with a glass of Tinto de Verano!