MAJOR PRESENTATION #2        [Our Decision Making]

  {subtitle: "Which option should we choose ???"}

Be sure to read this assignment carefully & thoroughly-- especially the "tips" at the end. It contains all the details you need to know in order to complete this presentation successfully. If you have any additional questions, be sure to email your Professor.

 RATIONALE:

Decision Making discussions are usually closed (i.e. a "private group") . However. in the case of this particular presentation, the group participants will proceed through the steps of the "standard" decision making process while the class/audience observes. The chosen topic should be one which is somewhat within the group's "area of freedom" [i.e. realm of  influence] so that the discussion should involve real life concerns rather than simply pretending.

Decision Making discussions are generally FACT [F]   or  VALUE [V] or  POLICY [P]  in their focus. Be sure to review the appropriate sections in your text & notes. So that you can ensure that you make the appropriate choice & the discussion plans to go-down-the-right-road.

PROCEDURE:

<1> Once again each group member will bring in a news clipping to be "pitched" to the rest of the group.  The group should select one of these presentation topics & determine your desired focus [i.e which road do you want to go down]:

            * deciding on something's worth [question ofValue] /    

            * deciding on a desired course of action [question of Policy] /

                    * deciding on the truth or falsity of statement [question of Fact];

<2> Phrase a suitable Discussion Question according to the text's guidelines

{Ex: "Should Seton Hall accept transfer students who are already in their Junior or Senior year?" [P] /

"Is it right for my town to provide public monetary support to private schools ?" [V] /

 "Are D.W.I. road checks the most effective method for controlling drunk driving?" [F] } ;

<3> As always, the group will use the Preliminary Agenda/Outline-DMver to help determine its goals, presentation content, research needs , and individuals' task assignments

<4> The end result = A PANEL Presentation -- With the class as audience, the group members will EXTEMPORANEOUSLY explore the implications of the potential choices  in their topic situation by explicitly citing from their research & supporting materials. Group Participants will INTERACT SPONTANEOUSLY and a decision will ultimately  (evolving naturally) be reached at the end of the presentation (i.e.  the group will choose one

 alternative out of the list of possibilities )  See below for some Panel format "tips" .

VARIATION #1: applicable in some semesters &  tentatively to be used again  for this semester. Confirm with professor. Overall, your symposium skills could use a bit more practice. SO-- All groups must begin their decision making presentations with a 5-6 minute SYMPOSIUM segment prior to the panel discussion segment. Be sure to refer to Presentation guidelines discussed in Chap 13-especially the section on "Team Presentations". Total presentation time remains the same as specified below. For the just added symposium segment of the presentation, the L/M's primary role will be to introduce, keep things moving & ensure that it all gets done in 5-6 minutes.

VARIATION #2: applicable in some semesters &  tentatively to be used again  for this semester.  Confirm with professor.    Before the formal start of the presentation (i.e. before timing begins) some groups will need to give a 30 sec.- 1 minute  Show & Tell explanation of the group's final logo.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

►See the reminders at the bottom of the previous presentation's assignment sheet, and...

• ►Overall Presentation time is 20-25 minutes. The plan is to videorecord these presentations--using the classroom's mini-DV system. You do not have to bring anything.

• ►Introduction/Transitions/Conclusion - These items are part of the group presentation as a whole and are often delivered by the designated Leader/Moderator. These 3 items should be primarily extemporaneous and/or impromptu in delivery style and they are said for the benefit of your audience that is listening in.    Since this is a PANEL  presentation rather than a symposium ( which is what you did for the last presentation) each participant is expected to contribute THROUGHOUT the presentation; therefore transitions should be used between agenda items rather than between speakers.   The conclusion should consist of a review of key points + a closing statement  which reflects the  actual discussion that has just taken place. In other words, your conclusions should not be totally "prefabricated" but should represent some thinking-on-your-feet.

• • ►Leadership Functions - As always, during the group's preparation phases, the Leader/Moderator will perform general management & organizational duties. For the presentation itself,  he/she will handle the various submission details and also will ensure the smooth "steering" of the discussion so that the group proceeds appropriately through the 5-6 steps of the decision making process-- which you should now know about via your readings & out in class activities.

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  •  During the actual Panel discussion segment, the L/M will need to perform comprehensive & analytical listening & to accomplish many of the task roles listed on p.60 & p.61(top-of-page) in your text.

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  • MODERATING A PANEL = This particular presentation requires a Leader/Moderator with strong listening and impromptu speaking skills. He/She needs flexibility, adaptability, and consensus-building skills.

    -The ideal communication flow for a panel discussion is "all-channel" which means that anyone can speak up at any time. It's up to the L/M to try to keep the participants from getting of topic or engaging in personal attacks, but you do want spontaneous energy in a panel discussion.  Also, the  L/M should be democratic enough to solicit input from the group members but at the same time needs to be assertive enough to jump in to ask clarifying questions, utilize paraphrases, & keep the discussion progressing explicitly through the 5 - 7 steps. Nevertheless, it's important for all members to listen to each other & for all members to use critical thinking skills.

    If you don�t get to be leader/moderator this time, don�t worry. Over the course the semester, each person will get to lead/moderate at least once.

      

   

  • ►Decision Making Procedure - Although you are aiming for spontaneous, "all-channel" participation, during your planning --prior to the actual presentation-- the group members should all agree upon some norms of behavior for turntaking.  
  • ►Physical Set-up - To be determined by the group. Review suggestions in text. Use whatever is most conducive to the PANEL format : (all group members need to see & hear each other, but the audience must also see the group clearly). You may want to "face-of" to encourage debate between group members. If videotaped, set-up may need to be adjusted to achieve camera coverage.  No hats, of course.
  • ►Presentation Aids - You are strongly encouraged to consider using visual/presentation aids. Demonstrations , Slides/Overheads , Video clips , Charts , etc can be very effective for clarifying and/or reinforcing points more succinctly and more memorably than words alone.

  • ►Video/audio recording -  As you know, all group presentations in this class are recorded. This presentation will probably be videorecorded: using the classroom's digital format.  Nevertheless, you may want to bring along a spare video/audio recording device just in case our   digital system is not working. Check your course calendar for any last-minute additions to these presentation specifications.

   

  • ►Final Agenda Outline - The specifications for this submission remain the same. However, be sure the agenda portion is structured via the "Standard Agenda Format" [see text (p. 243+ 5ed) or some other appropriate DECISION MAKING agenda format.

    As always, the Final Agenda outline MUST be submitted to the instructor BEFORE group gives its presentation.

   

  • ►Follow-up Group Assignment = Grading-Our-Presentation [ via "Performance Assessment"]  click link for the details of the assignment.   In most semesters, whenever there is time, this presentation utilizes a special application of the COMPLIANCE FACTOR   See your online course calendar  to verify  whether or not this is one of those semesters. If so, the due date for this additional, group project & submission will be listed. If so, any group that misses the submission deadline will default to the Professor's grade.

last major revision - 10/09 / last updated 2/2012