6. Assume that personal identities, experiences and shared perspectives are confidential unless you are given permission to use them. Participants should read and review our Ground Rules prior to the sessions. 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. What do I bring to the group? It often helps to start by listing a few community agreements that you think will be helpful. Well begin by looking at what you might consider if you have time to prepare. Start on timeand end on time. this discussion guide focuses primarily on the . As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. Accessible to students from high school through graduate school, Is Everyone Really Equal? Explain the reasoning leading to your conclusions. Part of your job here is to protect minority rights, i.e., unpopular or unusual ideas. Research & From University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR; formerly known as National Council for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR) . Support Group Ground Rules . If there is an experimentally verified answer, the facilitator can use the opportunity to review the method by which the answer could be determined. Ground rules help a group start and maintain a productive discussion. GROUND RULES: Be willing to acknowledge that sexism and racism exist. Be candid but respectful. Ground rules help a group start and maintain a productive discussion. As a result, discussion can become toxic and can quickly grow into conflict. A good group discussion leader has to pay attention to the process and content of the discussion as well as to the people who make up the group. Ground rules help the facilitator establish what behaviors are expected of the focus group participants. Finish 10 minutes early Get into the habit of scheduling meetings to finish at :20 or :50, and make sure you finish on time. well explained so that students are very . %PDF-1.3 Nothing said in the group should be discussed outside the group without the permission of those involved. Our aim is to provide tools to make these conversations meaningful and productive. Its leadership is usually less directive than that of a meeting. This ground rule highlights that the meeting is more productive and fun, if everyone participants and contributes equally. How active you are might depend on your leadership style, but you definitely have some responsibilities here. Increase participation and the sharing of ideas and perspectives; Promote openness to points of view and increase learning; Manage problems before and as they occur; and. Be present. Your contribution can help change lives. The Best Conflict Resolution Books in 2023. There are two ways to look at this question: Whats the point of group discussion? and Why would you, as opposed to someone else, lead a group discussion? Lets examine both. Developing Facilitation Skills, Section 3. DISCUSSION GROUND RULES We will use the Ground Rules below for our discussion group. Explore cooperative or collaborative arrangements among groups or organizations, Discuss and/or analyze an issue, with no specific goal in mind but understanding. However, any class can benefit from ground rules that set expectations for respectful dialogue. (Be sure to include the requester in this discussion). This group is not intended as "Diversity 101" training. Maintain an atmosphere for discussion and analysis of our options. Test Assumptions and Inferences. This is the new edition of the award-winning guide to social justice education. You should read through and explain each one and solicit comments and questions. 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. Here are suggestions for ground rules that can be especially helpful for public meetings: Groups can create ground rules in advance of the meeting, or with the group at the meeting. 1. Each person gets a chance to talk. One of the most important steps to an effective conversation about diversity and inclusion is to set ground rules for the participants. Some examples are to: participate actively speak one at a time treat everyone's ideas with respect-don't criticize minimize side conversations Debriefing can help adjust teaching styles, indicate areas that need more work or revisiting in the future, and provide valuable feedback for all involved. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. Listen to each other. Speak from your own experience instead of generalizing ("I" instead of "they," "we," and "you"). That doesnt mean you have to agree with them, but that you have to make sure that they can be expressed, and that discussion of them is respectful, even in disagreement. Facilitators might also ask one or more members of the group to act as observers for a few sessions, reporting back their observations to the group. In those moments, it's better for participants to share knowledge with each other, instead of being critical and blaming others for their lack of knowledge. "Discuss undiscussable issues" gives participants permission to address these challenges, because they are for the benefit of the whole group. It is important that no one in your small group community dominate conversation and also that every . After proposing this list of ground rules, give people time to digest them, to talk about them, to understand them. Services. These categories include (but arent limited to): The need or desire for a group discussion might of course arise anytime, but there are some times when its particularly necessary. Involve students in the creation of guidelines. Avoid mentally imposing your own biases, thoughts, or opinions onto what someone else is sharing. Perhaps assigning the avid talker to the observer role would help the person develop sensitivity. Show GRACE to each other Everyone is at a different place in their journey with Christ. Several of the examples given at the beginning of the section the group of parents concerned about their school system, for instance, or the college class fall into this category, as do public hearings and similar gatherings. 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 Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. Boyce, K. (2002). "Let go of personal anecdotal evidence and look at broader societal patterns. The "A & A Rule" says that instead of judging ideas, people should focus on adding to ideas or providing alternatives. 4 0 obj The more tangible ideas are, the easier it is to discuss them. 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. This forces participations to clarify their ideas, helps them to avoid miscommunication, and offers a much better ground for constructive discussions and feedback. Become familiar with the purpose and content of the discussion. Johnson, D., &Frank P.(2002). 12 Ground Rules for Online Discussions Participate: This is a shared learning environment. Use headphones or a headset. The group's agreement allows the leader or a group member to directly address an issue when a ground rule is not followed. 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. 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 . The facilitator can also restate points for verification or rejection by the participants, or give enthusiastic nonverbal cues and patience. Alternatively, you may wish to reframe their comments, making them viable additions to the discussion. 5. The sound of water from the mill stream rushing by put everyone at ease, and encouraged creative thought. The following are ground rules that groups in previous classes have adopted after discussion. A combination of initiating and probing questions can be an effective approach to bring out participants ideas further. Yet another is to give your opinion after all other members of the group have stated theirs, and then discuss the similarities and differences among all the opinions and peoples reasons for holding them. 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. 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. Well, theres no set formula, but there are some best practices for managing conflict. Use certain conventions or language that will exclude certain groups from understanding the context of the discussion, or make them feel uncomfortable. Joining Together: Group theory and group skills. Did you accomplish your goals? Iowa State University of Science and Technology Respect Differences? Try to think of the last time you had a conversation that was not easy: How did you feel before you began talking? We willmodify these as a group to meet DEI needs. "Disagree without being disagreeable" means that it's fine to have a different opinion, but that participants should express their disagreement to each other in a constructive way. Respect silence: Dont force yourself to fill silence. Talking about styles of communication is an excellent ice-breaker. Everyone is asked to consider different perspectives, for the purpose of sensitivity, learning, and growth. Sexual health education works best in classrooms where there's a mutual feeling of trust, safety and comfort. Be conscious of body language and nonverbal responses: They can be as disrespectful as words. Even where thats not the case, facing the conflict reasonably, and looking at the roots of the ideas on each side, can help to focus on the issue at hand and provide solutions far better than if one side or the other simply operated alone. 3. It is not enough to login and read the discussion thread of others. Freeman & Co.), Sellers, S.L., Roberts, J., Giovanetto, L., Friedrich, K. & Hammargren, C. (2007) Reaching All Students-A Resource for Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Second Edition) (Madison, WI: Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning). for Racial Justice in Higher Education 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. Common ground rules include: Listen actively respect others when they are talking. Dont ask people to do something, and then ignore it. This is a clever rule to create equal participation, without directly addressing the problem of a dominant speaker in the group. "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). 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. Make sure everyone gets any necessary information, readings, or other material beforehand. Even in that situation, the individual may find herself swayed by others arguments, or may have ideas of her own. to remain available. Come prepared. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000. 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. Those rules were and still are necessary for. So lets make sure we are listening 100 percent. Most often because they are afraid of the consequences or think the context isn't the right one to address the issue. Effective facilitation of a discussion involves the recognition and employment of different perspectives and different skills to create an inclusive environment. Medical Education, 38:286-293. (Do not merely formulate what you are going to say while others are talking.) Give all participants a voice- at the start highlight the value of a diversity of perspectives as an essential part of the process. Amherst, MA: HRD Press. Regents of the University of Minnesota. is a detailed and engaging textbook and professional development resource presenting the key concepts in social justice education. Speak from the I perspective: Avoid speaking for others by using we, us, or them.. It's often difficult to reach an agreement in a meeting because some people are often dogmatic about their position. The goal is not to agree it is to gain a deeper understanding. Suggestions for Leading Small-Group Discussions, prepared by Lee Haugen, Center for Teaching Excellence, Iowa State University, 1998. 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. Enter the room a few minutes early to resolve any technical issues. Join on time (or early). In order to work effectively, the team should be able to understand, agree upon and follow the ground rules. Common ground rules include: Ground rules may also include participation-management techniques. 2. This category could include anyone from professional community organizers to average citizens who care about an issue or have an idea they want to pursue. Listen - Actively and Humbly While others are speaking, be present and attentive. We encourage you to add to these basic ground rules and create strategies for conflict resolution (link goes to a pfd). Respect the views, values, and ideas of other members of the group. University of Queensland: Designing Culturally Inclusive Environments, accessed July 2008. www.tedi.uq.edu.au/cdip, The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning, Course Development Funds for Remote-accessible (REM) Courses, Graduate Student Proctorship in Academic Administration, Seminar for Transformation Around Anti-Racist Teaching, Sheridan-RISD Museum Collaborative Workshop Series, Guidelines for Assessing Student Learning, A Guide to the Writing Support (WSUP) Flag for Faculty, http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl/v1n1/feito/ij_feito.htm, What do the participants bring to the group? Easier it is to protect minority rights, i.e., unpopular or unusual ideas begin by looking at what are! That personal identities, experiences and shared perspectives are confidential unless you are might depend on leadership! Edition of the process be sure to include the requester in this discussion ), the it! More productive and fun, if everyone participants and contributes equally set expectations ground rules for group discussion. Common ground rules, to talk about them, to understand, agree upon and the. 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