Version User Scope of changes
Jan 2 2009, 4:17 AM EST (current) mikicesari 410 words added
Jan 2 2009, 4:12 AM EST mikicesari

Changes

Key:  Additions   Deletions
Purpose:
  • To explore content in a participate and interactive way;
  • To generate controversy in order to deepen understanding of the content processed.
Participants: Four to forty.
Time: At least 30 minutes (10 minutes for content introduction, 5 minutes for in-team preparation; 15 minutes for discussion between teams). Allow more time if needed.

Materials:
  • Visual aids illustrating the specific content being process (these can be flip chart papers, Power Point presentationsä, over-head projector slides, or handouts);
  • Flip chart papers;
  • Markers.
Process:I) Before of the training, prepare a presentation of the content you would like to introduce to participants. Prepare visual aids to help participants follow you during the presentation. Try to contain your presentation in maximum 10 minutes. Invite participants to ask questions of clarification if needed and answer their questions.

II) Divide the plenary into three teams. Assign team A and team B to support two potentially controversial and opposing positions related to the content you have introduced. Assign team C as the neutral team. Tell team A and B that they are going to build a solid argument to support their respective position or thesis and they will confront each other. Their task is to convince the other of the rightness of their thesis. Tell team C that they will have to observe the confrontation and assess strong and weak points of each team’s position.

Example: You have just introduced a lecture on soft and hard positional bargaining. You have illustrated the characteristics of each. You assign team A to support “Soft positional bargaining” and team B to support “Hard positional bargaining”. Team C will observe, taking note of strong and weak points of each team’s arguments and providing feedback at the end.

III) Give a signal to start the confrontation between teams. Let people express freely, do not control the dynamics of interaction.

IV) After 10-15 minutes (or when you find it suitable), give a signal to stop the confrontation. Ask participants to think in silent for one minute to what emerged during the activity.

V) Now ask team C to provide feedback. Take note of issues emerging on the flip chart.
Debriefing:
If needed, generate discussion on issues emerged.
Note:An alternative to the process: instead of having groups taking positions you can have individuals doing that.
Source: This Activity has been inspired by and adapted from a template developed by Sivasailam Thiagarajan (Thiagi), called “Shouting Match”. You can find more on this on www.thiagi.com.