Course Development

Group Discussion

Opportunity for pooling of ideas, experience, and knowledge.

For majority of meetings because of adaptability to greater group participation.

Preplanning to develop discussion outline. Leader encourages every member to participate by guiding the discussion.

Practical with not more than twenty persons. Becomes disorganized without careful planning of material 'to be covered.

Buzz Groups

Allows for total participation by group members through small clusters of participants, followed by discussion of the entire group.

As a technique to get participation from every individual in the group. Highly adaptable to other group methods.

Prepare one or two questions on the subject to give each group. Divide the members into small clusters of four to six. A leader is chosen to record and report pertinent ideas discussed.

Thought must be given as to the purpose and organization of groups.

Panel Discussion

A discussion in a conversational form among a selected group of persons with a leader, in front of an audience that joins in later.

As a technique to stimulate interest and thinking, and to provoke better discussion.

The leader plans with the four to eight members of the panel. The panel discusses informally without any set speeches. The leader then opens the discussion to the entire group and summarizes.

Can get off beam; personality of speakers may overshadow content; vocal speaker can monopolize program.

Symposium Discussion

A discussion in which the topic is broken into its various phases; each part is presented by an expert or person well informed on that particular phase, in a brief, concise speech.

When specific information is desired.

Leader meets with the three or four members of the symposium and plans outline. Participants are introduced and reports are given, group directs questions to proper symposium members, leader summarizes.

Can get off beam; personality of speakers may overshadow content; vocal speaker can/ monopolize program.

Debate Discussion

A pro and con discussion of a controversial issue. Objective is to convince the audience rather than display skill in attacking tile opponent.

In discussing a controversial issue on which there are fairly definite opinions in the group on both sides to bring these differences out into the open in a friendly manner.

Divide the group into sides of pro and con. Each speaker should be limited to a predetermined time followed by rebuttal if desired.

Members are often not objective towards the subject.

Experience Discussion

A small or large group discussion following a report on the main point of a book, article, movie, or life experience.

To present a new point of view or to present issues that will stimulate thought and discussion.

Plan with others participating on how review is to be presented. Then have an open discussion on pertinent issues and points of view as experienced.

Ability of participating members to relate to others and motivate thinking.

Concentric Circle

A small circle of group members form within the larger circle. The inner circle discusses a topic while the role of the outside circle is to listen. The discussion is then reversed.

As a technique to stimulate interest and to provoke good discussion. This is especially good to get more response from a group that is slow in participating.

Leader and planning group work out questions that will be discussed by the concentric circle and then by the larger circle.

Much thought and preparation must be given to the questions for discussion. Room and movable chairs needed.

Reaction Sheet

A method of reacting to ideas in the following ways: Ideas that you question; Ideas that are new to you; Ideas that really "hit home."

As a way to get the group to react. Combine this with other methods.

Prepare topic and reaction sheets. Explain and distribute reaction sheets with the instructions to write as they listen, watch, or read. Follow with group discussion.

Topic should be somewhat controversial.

Phillips 66

This is a spontaneous method where six people view their opinions on a topic for six minutes.

To add spice and variety to methods of presentations.

Define topic of discussion. Count off six people and allow six minutes for discussion. Allow for group discussion or reassignment of six people.

Must be used somewhat flexibly.

Reverse Thinking

Expression of thought by thinking in reverse.

To gain an insight into others' feelings and to see another point of view.

Prepare topic-explain to group the theory of reverse thinking. Combine with other methods.

A challenge to group members.

Role Playing

The spontaneous acting out of a situation or an incident by selected members of the group.

As the basis of developing clearer insights into *the feelings of people and the forces in a situation which facilitate or block good human relations.

Choose an appropriate situation or problem. Have the group define the roles--the general characteristics to be represented by each player. Enact the scene. Observe and discuss such things as specific behavior, underlying forces, or emotional reactions.

Group leader must he skilled so that actors will play their roles seriously, without self-consciousness.

Picture Making

A way of bringing out ideas or principles on a topic by means of simple illustrations made by group members on the blackboard or large chart paper.

As a technique to stimulate interest, thinking, and participation.

Leader and members of planning group select general principles or questions on the topic which would be suitable to illustrate. Leader divides the group into four or five sub-groups. Each sub-group is given a statement or problem to illustrate. After completing the picture making, each group shows and explains the picture. This is followed by discussion.

Instruction must he clear as to the value of picture making and adequate materials supplied.