Discussion Formats

*Group Discussion

*Panel Discussion

*An informal discussion that takes place before an audience. Panel members, often three or four in the panelists talk directly to each other, but each may make a short introductory speech.

*Information of public issues: teen smoking, panel: teens, parents, school counselor, rep from local cancer society

*Panel Discussion

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8sF3rKTHVA

*Symposium

*A more formal kind of discussion. The purpose is to present opposing points of view. Experts give short pieces on a particular subject. A discussion leader introduces each speaker and may give a brief statement at the end to link together the entire discussion.

*Audience may ask questions or make comments.

*New Gym: Architect, athletic director, a city planner, concerned tax payer

*Symposium

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHRZwCK5WVg

*Town Hall Meeting

*People assemble to discuss city problems. A vote takes place after a discussion to settle the issue.

*Today people participate in town hall discussions on television or via internet.

*Town Hall Meeting

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6eE9BIUfBg

Group Discussion Section 2

*Group Problem Solving

*Taking Criticism

*Put your shield up

*Act like a coffee filter

*Pretend you’re Sherlock Holmes

*Say, “you’re right”

*1. Define the problem

*You must understand the problem first.

*Ask your group, “How did the problem come about? And why does it need to be solved?”

*Limit objectives in order to find a specific solution to a specific problem.

*See scenario in book

*2. Establish Criteria for a

workable solution

*After defining the problem, the group should decide on criteria, or set of standards that its solution must meet.

*See school dance fundraiser example

*Talk it out!

*Choose a certain problem at school

*Define the problem (use listening, summarizing, & paraphrasing skills)

*Establish criteria for a workable solution that will appease those who support either side of the issue.

*Make sure it’s balanced.

*3. Analyze the Problem

*Break the problem down into small pieces for closer inspection.

*Look at current condition

*Look at past occurrences for clues

*4. Suggest Possible

Solutions

*Propose as many solutions as possible

*Brainstorming: when a group tries to bombard the problem with fresh ideas.

*5. Evaluate Each Solution & Select

the best one

*Consider your options

*If 2 or 3 solutions seem equally good, the group should turn back to their criteria & make careful comparison.

*Does each solution meet the standards from step 2? If not, the solution should be changed or eliminated.

*6. Suggest ways for

testing/carrying out the solution

*Group members must make sure their solution is practical.

*Talk it out!

*Complete steps 3-6 with the current problem you have identified, using the criteria you created from step 2 of the problem solving process.

*Conflict in The Office

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnSzo4AbRI

*Constructive

Conflict

*This develops when members use their differences to discover the best ideas and not score points against one another.

*Let’s learn through humor! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zA1Qz--svY

*Disruptive Conflict

*This is more like a discussion that has turned into a debate where personal victory is more important than a successful group decision.

*This can cause distraction to the task at hand, and can be a nuisance.

*Types of disruptive conflict

*Nitpickers

*Eager Beavers

*Fence Sitters

*Wisecrackers

*Superior beings

*Dominators