Develop the script to frame the purpose of the focus. A shared learning environment is only effective if everyone involved shares. Use headphones or a headset. 5. 5. Respect for Group Members - Be quick to listen and slow to speak. One is to state your opinion, but make very clear that its an opinion, not a fact, and that other people believe differently. A group of two or three generally doesn't need a leader to have a good discussion, but once the number reaches five or six, a leader or facilitator can often be helpful. Attempt to pursue a common goal, rather than individual goals. For the maximum benefit to all, everyone must contribute. Its important to think about what youre most comfortable with philosophically, and how that fits what youre comfortable with personally. All too often, conflict whether conflicting opinions, conflicting world views, or conflicting personalities is so frightening to people that they do their best to ignore it or gloss it over. https://instr.iastate.libguides.com/FromEquityTalkToEquityWalk, From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Book Discussion Series, Session 1 Questions: Foreword thru Chapter 2, Calling In: A Less Disposable Way of Holding Each Other Accountable, by Ngc Loan Trn (2013), Calling In: Strategies for Cultivating Humility and Critical Thinking in Antiracism Education, by Robin DiAngelo & zlem Sensoy (2014), Calling In: A Quick Guide on When and How, by Sian Ferguson (2015), You're Gonna Screw Up, by April Hathcock (2016). "Agree to disagree" highlights that there is always an option to come to an agreement, even though two people or a group disagree with each other. . Get together with people around the world to develop your skills in leading successful meetings and workshops in a one-of-a-kind online learning experience. Services. Once stated, anyone in the meeting can say "ELMO!" Ground Rules for Group Discussion Listen with respect. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. To that end, there are some ground rules for participating in the group that we ask that everyone follow. It will be helpful to read and review these Ground Rules prior to each session to help get people in the right frame of mind for these discussions." (1) We will modify these as a group to meet DEI needs. 4 E.L.M.O E.L.M.O stands for "Enough, let's move on" and can be established as a meeting rule to cut unnecessary discussions. Handelsman, J., Miller, S., & Pfund, C. (2006) Scientific Teaching: Diversity, Assessment, Active Learning (New York: W.H. Ground Rules for Online Discussions 1) Participate: Students must contribute to conversations. They include setting, or helping the group to set the discussion topic; fostering the open process; involving all participants; asking questions or offering ideas to advance the discussion; summarizing or clarifying important points, arguments, and ideas; and wrapping up the session. ", 3. The chances are that, like most of us, you fall somewhere in between the extremes of the leader who sets the agenda and dominates the group completely, and the leader who essentially leads not at all. Sometimes called 'ground rules,' community agreements, or participation norms (and there are several fuller examples below), such guidelines can be provided by an instructor or generated collaboratively with students. Second, each person has to share his style with the group. Members new to these issues are encouraged to spend time . Discomfort and silence are ok, but balance with a clearly stated context and purpose. Mayer, B. RESPECT another person's right to have opinions and thoughts . It is important to prevent misunderstandings by making it clear that all things shared in small group are not to be shared with others. Joining Together: Group theory and group skills. Learn how to effectively conduct a critical conversation about a particular topic, or topics, that allows participation by all members of your organization. All rights reserved. About ground rules Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. Develop an awareness for barriers for learning (cultural; social; experiential, etc). Ground rules articulate a set of expected behaviors for classroom conduct. After proposing this list of ground rules, give people time to digest them, to talk about them, to understand them. Then she has to guide the discussion, being careful to promote an open process; involve everyone and let no one dominate; attend to the personal issues and needs of individual group members when they affect the group; summarize or clarify when appropriate; ask questions to keep the discussion moving, and put aside her own agenda, ego, and biases. What do I bring to the group? A representative . All opinions are valued. If youre asked a direct question, you might want to answer it if its a question of fact and you know the answer, and if its relevant to the discussion. Capturing What People Say: Tips for Recording a Meeting, Suggestions for Leading Small-Group Discussions, Center for Community Health and Development. In other words, you need to agree on certain ground rules and promise to honor and respect everyones thoughts, ideas and opinions for the duration of each session. "Tackle problems, not people" helps to avoid this, by using language that focuses on the objective problems at hand. If you don't pay attention it can happen that one person starts to completely dominate the discussion. Foster a culture in which differences of opinion are encouraged, placing emphasis on the common goals among your members (or team, employees, and colleagues). Strickland, Tessa, Kate DePalma, and David Dean. Debrief. Then ask if anyone has something to add to the list. The point is made that many good group or meeting leaders are, in fact, facilitators, whose main concern is supporting and maintaining the process of the groups work. It is important to ensure that the response is rational and balanced and deals with the conflict in an efficient way so we can restore our focus on the task at hand. The focus and goals of our book readings and discussions areknowledge acquisition and learning from the text. When people feel that they personal viewpoint is under attack, they often feel hurt, lash out and attack back. Explain the topic. Johnson, D., &Frank P.(2002). How can you create guidelines? She or he can lay ground rules for discussion, such as asking participants to focus conflict on ideas rather than people and to resist being judgmental. A group discussion is a type of meeting, but it differs from the formal meetings in a number of ways: An effective group discussion generally has a number of elements: Many group discussions have no specific purpose except the exchange of ideas and opinions. While many public organizations use parliamentary procedure as a form of ground rules, such formal rules may not be sufficient or appropriate for guiding public discussion. Even after youve wrapped up the discussion, youre not necessarily through. Creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive branch takes planning, support and intention. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. But if participants mutually explore the interest behind the positions, it becomes much easier to find a common ground. You might present an agenda for approval, and change it as the group requires, or you and the group can create one together. Provide sufficient time and space for participants to gather their thoughts and contribute to discussions. Forsyth, D .Group Dynamics. In most group discussions, leaders who are relatively non-directive make for a more broad-ranging outlay of ideas, and a more satisfying experience for participants. Establishing this as a ground rule highlights that participants can suggest on their own when to place something on the parking lot in order to keep the meeting on track and on time. Having nine or fewer ground rules helps the group more easily remember and support them. Research & If there is an experimentally verified answer, the facilitator can use the opportunity to review the method by which the answer could be determined. (8th edition). Go over constructive and destructive group behaviors at the start of the course / workshop. Tuckman, B. Facilitation resources, volume 4: Managing group interaction. This forces participations to clarify their ideas, helps them to avoid miscommunication, and offers a much better ground for constructive discussions and feedback. Confidentiality first. The term ground rules was originally used to describe the rules of baseball that teams agreed to use in a particular venue, or grounds. Follow the agenda. In less formal circumstances, youll have to make the best of existing conditions. Give everyone an opportunity to share. Ground rules clarify expectations for behavior in the meeting. She has to prepare the space and the setting to the extent possible; help the group establish ground rules that will keep it moving civilly and comfortably; provide whatever materials are necessary; familiarize herself with the topic; and make sure that any pre-discussion readings or assignments get to participants in plenty of time. University Library701 Morrill Rd Everyone is asked to consider different perspectives, for the purpose of sensitivity, learning, and growth. s UY8+/W~=jn]y+-S>z=)^w}7UO0E70N!T Vd5[Ic|0R>>SZ *}:?4I5u4O3rWoP^9Ax9ktC'g)FybD^C[40#B1{RXOQ7zKt;c[4y%]:RUYQSBC2F@)]R.6)5fh_LmKLQ #(A-)(Lhpi Y8z012-:'5J-X'%F'B^5V"vAj If you have time to prepare beforehand, there are a number of things you may be able to do to make the participants more comfortable, and thus to make discussion easier. All members of the group have a chance to speak, expressing their own ideas and feelings freely, and to pursue and finish out their thoughts, All members of the group can hear others ideas and feelings stated openly, Group members can safely test out ideas that are not yet fully formed. Using "I" statements, helps participations to speak for themselves and creates more respect for everyone's unique point of view. They can be set by the instructor . Its leadership is usually less directive than that of a meeting. Ask for clarification if unclear about a participants intent or question. Try to think of the last time you had a conversation that was not easy: How did you feel before you began talking? Openly and honestly communicate with everyone. (4th edition). Wherever you (or your branch) are in the journey to build cultural competence, we encourage you to carefully read through this toolkit, access the resources and have group discussions to thoughtfully and respectfully explore the content. Allow participants to introduce themselves you can even set up an ice breaker to have pairs of students introduce each other. Ground rules should be sufficient but not excessive. In the latter case, you may have the chance to choose a space and otherwise structure the situation. Here are four important guidelines to communicate to your group. Project on Civic Reflection provides information about leading study circles on civic reflection. Ground rules clarify expectations for behavior in the meeting. If participants are asked to read something, consider questions, complete a task, or otherwise prepare for the discussion, make sure that the assignment is attended to and used. Facilitators are non-directive, and try to keep themselves out of the discussion, except to ask questions or make statements that advance it. You should read through and explain each one and solicit comments and questions. You might choose to lead a group discussion, or you might find yourself drafted for the task. In good discussions, conflicts will sometimes arise. Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), Clarke University Tips for Managing Conflict, UC Berkeley Resolving Conflict Situations, Group Dynamics for Teams by Daniel Levi, Chapter 7: Managing Conflict, TeacherVision: Conflict Resolution Activities, Conflict Resolution Activities: Effective Ideas for Classrooms, KidsHealth in the Classroom: Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Activities, The Big Book of Conflict Resolution Games: Quick, Effective Activities to Improve Communication, Trust, and Collaboration, Conflict Management Exercises and Activities to Use With Your Team, Sesame Street: Helping Kids Resolve Conflicts, Conflict Resolution: Using the Interest-Based Relational Approach. Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. Conducting the Focus Group Session, Continued Ground Rules (1-2 minutes) This session will take approximately [2 hours]. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension. Undiscussable issues are those issues that are on everyones mind, but no one is able to bring them forwards. Speak from the I perspective: Avoid speaking for others by using we, us, or them.. % Re-visiting past contributions and incorporating them into subsequent discussions. (2001). The facilitator can list both sides of the argument on the board. Usually, a group discussion will be based around a central topic. A group of parents meets to wrestle with their feeling that their school district is shortchanging its students. In this last section of a chapter on group facilitation, well examine what it takes to lead a discussion group well, and how you can go about doing it. Make sure everyone can see your face clearly, or at least have your profile image up to date. Equity & Inclusion Group Ground Rules Adapted from UT Astronomy E&I Discussion Group Ground Rules by Caitlin Casey, Brandon Bozek, and Raquel Martinez. 4 0 obj Normally, we do this in reverse. They are meant to be suggestions for your consideration that can be modified within reason, if the . Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. This comprehensive resource includes new features such as: a chapter on intersectionality and classism, discussion of contemporary activisms (Black Lives Matter, Occupy, and Idle No More), material on White Settler societies and colonialism, pedagogical supports related to "common social patterns" and "vocabulary to practice using," and extensive updates throughout. Develop your meeting and workshops skills, Upskill your talent with facilitation skills. Acknowledge that we are all systematically taught misinformation about our own group and about members of other groups. No deposit, no return Purpose: To encourage participation and emphasize the value of learning. Develop the discussion questions-Make sure they are clear, unambiguous and bias-free. Effective facilitation of a discussion involves the recognition and employment of different perspectives and different skills to create an inclusive environment. The materials are broken down into "modules" and facilitation trainers can use some or all of them to suit their needs. Uphold confidentiality: Treat the candor of others as a gift. Test Assumptions and Inferences. Good listening requires concentration and attention. 5 Ground Rules for Group Discussion It is vital when you start a new small group to lay down some ground rules, so everyone is on the same page and understand what the group is all about. So how do you do that? Not being afraid to admit your own ignorance or confusion if you dont know something invite others to provide resources, and use the opportunity to discuss with the group how one might go about researching the issue. It may not have a specific goal many group discussions are just that: a group kicking around ideas on a particular topic. In these circumstances, the leaders ability to identify points of agreement, or to ask the question that will get discussion moving again is crucial to the groups effectiveness. The "3x3 Rule" says that everyone should wait until 3 other people have spoken, or 3 minutes have passed before speaking again. All members of grief groups should aim to: Be on time ; Refrain from starting side conversations or taking phone calls in the group It is important that no one in your small group community dominate conversation and also that every . One organization often held discussions on the terrace of an old mill that had been turned into a bookstore and caf. Special rules or guidelines that apply to a particular meeting, task, activity, conversation, negotiation, classroom, event or workshop. 12 Ground Rules for Online Discussions Participate: This is a shared learning environment. Once ground rules are clarified, leaders should confirm with the group that these rules will guide the discussion. Its not an easy task, but it can be extremely rewarding. Deferring - Often, the best strategy is to invite participants to come up after the session and arrange for a time to talk about the disagreement further, and then move the discussion on to another topic. Another approach is to break down the group into still smaller task groups. Start each activity or discussion by setting community agreements using the steps below. Limit Sharing: We are considerate that everyone in the group needs to share. Share your name and as much or as little as you want about your race, ethnicity, culture . Allow others to share. This is especially true when the group is stuck, either because two opposing ideas or factions are at an impasse, or because no one is able or willing to say anything. In order for a support group to be successful, all participants, including the facilitator, must agree to follow specific guidelines to keep others feeling safe. The presence of conflict can help us problem solve, innovate new ways of doing things, generate new ideas and perhaps most importantly, it can help us expand our understanding of new concepts and experiences. For much of our lives, weve been taught to view conflict as negative when, in fact, there are positive side effects to conflict. Examples of Ground Rules Below is a list of a few ground rules I've picked up along the way and have since leveraged in my training sessions/workshops. Listen actively: Listen to understand, not to respond. Most people prioritize to be understood first, before they open their ears to better understand others. 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