"Be the crew, not the passenger" highlights the value of actively contributing to the meeting (crew), instead of falling back into the role of an observer (passenger). Silence can be an indication of thought and process. Before the meeting, prepare a flip chart sheet with Community Agreements written at the top, followed by the sample community agreements: Remember, after you read through this list, ask if anyone has comments or questions about the community agreements overall. E.L.M.O stands for "Enough, let's move on" and can be established as a meeting rule to cut unnecessary discussions. The facilitator can encourage participants making unclear contributions to give examples and factual evidence of their points. The first thing you need to think about is leadership style, which we mentioned briefly earlier in the section. Take responsibility for your own learning. Create space in class for students to discuss in small groups. Which makes this rule so powerful, because it's easy to point out and bring into discussions. Weekly Discussion Guides. A group of two or three generally doesnt need a leader to have a good discussion, but once the number reaches five or six, a leader or facilitator can often be helpful. 12 Ground Rules for Online Discussions Participate: This is a shared learning environment. The materials are broken down into "modules" and facilitation trainers can use some or all of them to suit their needs. A college class in human services approaches the topic of dealing with reluctant participants. xx Its much closer to acting as a facilitator, but not exactly the same as that either. Once stated, anyone in the meeting can say "ELMO!" These Ground Rules are not static and continue to be refined over timeparticularly as we seek to decenterexpectations of "comfort" andsilence asstrategies for non-engagement. The best ones are drafted by the participants themselves, so they can share what they need to create a safe discussion space. 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. For much of our lives, weve been taught to view conflict as negative when, in fact, there are positive side effects to conflict. 6. Active listening - Facilitators can paraphrase the message they heard and check out the accuracy of their assumptions before responding. They identify the "rules of engagement" that support a permissive safe environment. As instructors, offer points for participating in conversations. (8th edition). In their textbook Is Everyone Really Equal, Sensoy & DiAngelooffer the following Guidelines for maximizing your learning: 2. Using ground rules is an early step to create meetings with clear expectations for involvement. This allows the group to accomplish its purpose if it has one, or to establish a basis either for ongoing discussion or for further contact and collaboration among its members. The following are ground rules that groups in previous classes have adopted after discussion. Participants or students who attack often want attention, so simply giving them some recognition while firmly moving on often takes care of the problem. "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. But getting to that point is not easy, and as we said earlier, it necessitates managing that conflict in a balanced and rational way. Section 4. Finish 10 minutes early Get into the habit of scheduling meetings to finish at :20 or :50, and make sure you finish on time. DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. In the latter case, you may have the chance to choose a space and otherwise structure the situation. What is said in the group, stays in the group. Turn off/silence all cell phones, blackberries, etc. Identify missing data. Even in that situation, the individual may find herself swayed by others arguments, or may have ideas of her own. Poster. 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. (Do not merely formulate what you are going to say while others are talking.) Most discussions are aided by the use of newsprint and markers to record ideas, for example. This is true for everyone, regardless of our group (s). Then ask if anyone has something to add to the list. 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. Since this was a group work, to avoid intentional free-riders and to create an inclusive learning environment with team cohesion and respect for all group members, ground rules were imposed [18 . Ask dominant participants to allow others to speak. Asking the contributor for further clarification and/or elaboration. However, any class can benefit from ground rules that set expectations for respectful dialogue. Group and Organizational Studies, vol. Those rules were and still are necessary for. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. A constant question that leaders and members of any group have is what to do about racist, sexist, or homophobic remarks, especially in a homogeneous group where most or all of the members except the leader may agree with them. There are always a mix of extrovert and introverted people in a meeting. Think of the meetings you have participated in over the past year. The more tangible ideas are, the easier it is to discuss them. If the question is one of values, the facilitator may use the occasion to help participants become aware of the values involved. Generate an agenda or goals for the session. 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. You also may be in a position to lead one, and thats what this section is about. Iowa State University of Science and Technology That would include for example listening first, asking questions, looking for a common ground and not making it personal. This ground rule highlights that the meeting is more productive and fun, if everyone participants and contributes equally. Respect the views, values, and ideas of other members of the group. Join on time (or early). 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. Everyone gets a turn. A second strategy is to ask opinion questions occasionally (e.g., How do you feel about this?). Invite inquiry into your views. Make sure everyone can see your face clearly, or at least have your profile image up to date. 2. If thats the case, it should be agreed upon at the outset. "Recognize the difference between opinions and informed knowledge. Here are some common problems with suggestions for how to deal with them. We willmodify these as a group to meet DEI needs. There are no right or wrong answers - we want honest, candid opinions. Ground Rules for Respectful Discussion 1. Group Facilitation and Problem-Solving, Section 2. Fact sheet. 2. Discomfort and silence are ok, but balance with a clearly stated context and purpose. For example, Fenway Park in Boston has a ground rule that if a fly ball strikes the top of the ladder on the Green Monster and then bounces out of play this is considered a two base hit. Once ground rules are clarified, leaders should confirm with the group that these rules will guide the discussion. Everyday-Democracy. Leading a discussion group is not the same as running a meeting. Discourage alternate views or counter-arguments. Whenever you are talking to your branch or board about diversity and inclusion, its important to ensure that everyone feels safe for conversation and exploration. Provide sufficient time and space for participants to gather their thoughts and contribute to discussions. If those are brought out in the open and discussed reasonably, the two sides often find that they have as much agreement as disagreement, and can resolve their differences by putting their ideas together. Ground rules help a group start and maintain aproductive discussion. Then, ask if the participants have any to add. Leading an effective group discussion takes preparation (if you have the opportunity for it), an understanding of and commitment to an open process, and a willingness to let go of your ego and biases. Undiscussable issues are those issues that are on everyones mind, but no one is able to bring them forwards. "Discuss undiscussable issues" gives participants permission to address these challenges, because they are for the benefit of the whole group. 1. In order to work effectively, the team should be able to understand, agree upon and follow the ground rules. If youre committed to a non-directive style, but you tend to want to control everything in a situation, you may have to learn some new behaviors in order to act on your beliefs. Lets look at these, as well as some dos and donts for discussion group leaders. Is sometimes simply the obvious, or even the only, way to proceed. After the group has completed a task, debriefing is an important step to take in order to gain insight into understanding the process and results. Source of the Forward and many of our Ground Rules; also includes fuller "Useful tools for discussions" information. Asking follow-up questions, and paraphrasing the comments for everyone to ponder. Develop an awareness for barriers for learning (cultural; social; experiential, etc). Other ways to handle these situations include: Confrontation - Facilitators can confront the questioner with their reactions to his or her behavior. Such ground rules are especially important when discussing controversial or otherwise challenging topics. DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. 2. Keep discussions focused. Wayne, NJ: Career Press, 2017. If participants are simply trying to embarrass the facilitator, they may seek to make him or her defensive with such comments as, How do you really know that? or Youre not really saying that? Such questions can be handled by playing boomerang. is a detailed and engaging textbook and professional development resource presenting the key concepts in social justice education. Be willing to share information. Listen actively: Listen to understand, not to respond. Debrief. Your transparency will encourage others. Next, ask students to think about the worst group . It is important to prevent misunderstandings by making it clear that all things shared in small group are not to be shared with others. Convey a sense of self-importance or superiority. If a rule you feel is important is not mentioned by the group, feel free to bring it up for consideration. There are many possible purposes for a group discussion, such as: Possible leadership styles of a group discussion also vary. Share feelings and experiences, but not advice. Did you feel like a valuable member of the team? Start on time . Conflict is normal and can be inherent in nearly every situation. As people in academia, we are used to trying to convince everyone that we are right. G.R.O.U.P.S. Explain the topic. Now, just to be clear: We are not saying that conflict is good per se. Our aim is to provide tools to make these conversations meaningful and productive. 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. Joining Together: Group theory and group skills. If you can do these things, the chances are you can become a discussion leader that can help groups achieve the results they want. A community health educator facilitates a smoking cessation support group. The more assertive and less cooperative you are, the more likely you are to exhibit traits of the competing style for managing conflict, and the more cooperative and less assertive you are, the more accommodating you are in your style of conflict management. Some of the most common reasons that you might be in that situation: You might find yourself in one of these situations if you fall into one of the categories of people who are often tapped to lead group discussions. We will use theGround Rules below for our discussion group. Re-visiting past contributions and incorporating them into subsequent discussions. Often people do this unconsciously because they feel that the meeting isn't relevant for them."Be present, or be elsewhere" is a good meeting guidelines to establish shared awareness and clear expectations one participants. Stay mentally and physically present. In order to do so, it is important to consider the features of effective discussions, and conditions that promote small group interaction and engagement. to remain available. Your ground rules the issue of respecting everyone should address this issue, and it probably wont come upbut there are no guarantees. If you think you can wing it with aggression, you are mistaken. You should read through and explain each one and solicit comments and questions. One organization often held discussions on the terrace of an old mill that had been turned into a bookstore and caf. Ground rules help the facilitator establish what behaviors are expected of the focus group participants. Its leadership is usually less directive than that of a meeting. 2023 A representative . If the situation is particularly difficult, a directive leader might be needed to keep control of the discussion and make. (2004) Student perceptions of effective small group teaching. 4. 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