page updated 3/26/17

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. If you have any additional questions, be sure to email your Professor.

 

MAJOR PRESENTATION #3-ver. 2

[Groups Solving the Problems of Groups ]   

 

 {subtitle: "That's not ideal! - What can we do to FIX this situation??? "}

 

ideal situation



█
ideal situation
2[current] 3[obstacles] 1[ideal]

 

 

 

 

rationale

planning procedure [incl. choosing the problem topic]

presentation format

additional considerations: (including timing / talking / grading / concluding / visual aids)

tips on delivery technique for a PANEList

tips for the leader-moderator

 summary of submissions

 

PRESENTATION RATIONALE

 ♦ Research examining the Problem Solving process indicates that "systematic" problem solving procedures produce higher quality decisions as compared to random or loosely structured procedures. This is especially true for group problem solving (although there is evidence that individuals also benefit from structured Problem-Solving techniques).

 

 

 ♦ As covered in your textbook & in class,  a "problem" actually is a situation -- not a single thing but a multi-part system which is being perceived as being undesirable  (by at least one person).  It helps to think of it as a problem SITUATION, consisting of 3 parts: [see model above ]

___(1) the potentially ideal situation ( i.e. desirable state of things) 

___(2) the actual, current state of things

__ (3) the obstacles which are preventing the current situation from being ideal.

 

 ♦ A major part of the Problem Solving presentation will consist of EXPLICITLY identifying each obstacle inherent within the specific situation. By the time you get to the step of proposing solution(s), you will need to explicitly show how a given solution is tied to eliminating  a specific obstacle.  [Note that  Decision Making is an automatic step at the end of the problem solving process/ discussion/ presentation --when the group uses its agreed-upon criteria to select the  most suitable solution..]

 

♦ For this presentation, your Discussion Question will be given to you  & most likely will be phrased as a question of  either POLICY or FACT. Be sure to review the appropriate chapters in your text--esp. the chapter on problem-solving procedure. (7th ed/REVEL = Chap 9 / 5ed = 10 )

 

 

PLANNING PROCEDURES:

> This is a "self-reflexive" presentation. Each group will be turning the focus on its own group processes. In other words, the group will be  talking about how to solve issues in a/your group.

 

> This semester, the groups in this class, generally appear to be working  together amicably. Nevertheless, some "snags" have been observed that commonly occur during the Working-In-Groups process. For example: 

 

-How to work cohesively  w/ a group of strangers—both before & after the initial "best behavior" period

- How to ensure how NOT to miss any submission deadlines

- How to share leadership & take responsibility

-How to work as a group (aka "team") without  physically being together (bad weather, conflicting schedules, etc)

- How to condense, organize information in order to make it understandable to an audience

- How to achieve a consensus on a decision (or at least a clear majority) when some individuals have divergent views & values so that all participants are willing to commit -- even though at different degrees of

- How to accomplish a group task despite the lack of 100% participation & cooperation of group members (e.g out due to illness, to misunderstanding expectations , or even due to the “slacker factor”)

- How to get along & encourage cohesiveness– despite personality & style differences

- How to talk explicitly to each other about needs: group's & individual's

- How to use "perspective taking" techniques  to understand another person's reasons for doing things differently than you would. ( e.g. for one person a timely response = 24 hours, to someone else it means 24 minutes)

       >Selecting a Topic  (a problem situation)

 - step1 NO LATER THAN __3/24/17_, Each person in the class will email your Professor an honest answer to this question:

"What is something about your group [in this class] that isn’t quite working the way you would like it to?" ( i.e. Let's Fix It)
  step 2 Professor will review the submissions to determine the key concern for each group. Via email, each group will be assigned a group-based, problem solving topic for this next presentation.  (which might be an issue particular to that group or might be a generic problem often seen in working groups)
  step 3 Everyone prepares for this presentation in the same way:
Carefully read the textbook chapters on Problem Solving and Argumentation (7th ed. =  Chapters 9 & 10),  ALSO carefully view and review the Problem-Solving slide show in Blackboard, ALSO become familiar with Dewey's Standard Agenda Outline/Progressive Problem Solving Method  Chap 9 - fig 9.3     [6th ed. = pp. 202-204]) , ALSO take a look at the Problem Solving version of the Preliminary Agenda/Outline.
 step 4 Because each group will be given a topic by the professor and because each presentation will follow the STANDARD AGENDA[p.202/6e] , there is no need to submit a Preliminary Agenda/Outline.  The  final Agenda/Outline is due as usual on presentation day and this time the  Leader/Moderators should also provide copies for their group members and the advance signatures are not required. (contact your professor if you need help with photocopying.) 

< scroll down or click for  "Additional guidelines for the Leader Moderator"
 step 5

 

 The end result: [with the class configured as a 360 "Fishbowl" audience],  the group will systematically, but spontaneously, explore the problem situation by citing from their research and their reflection about group procedures. The solution which is ultimately proposed  in the conclusion must have clearly emerged out of the discussion itself. Technically, this is also a "panel" discussion, so even though you are only looking & addressing each other, be sure your volume is loud enough for all of us to hear you.  < scroll down or click for add'l guidelines >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

            

           

                   

 

 

 

PRESENTATION FORMAT

The end result: [with the class configured as a 360 "Fishbowl" audience],  the group will systematically, but spontaneously, explore the problem situation by citing from their research and their reflection about group procedures. The solution which is ultimately proposed  in the conclusion must have clearly emerged out of the discussion itself. Technically, this is also a "panel" discussion, so even though you are only looking & addressing each other, be sure your volume is loud enough for all of us to hear you.  < scroll down or click for additional  guidelines >

 

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

 

 

a. There should be no "Pre-fab" discussion and no "Pre-fab" conclusions in these presentations!

 - You'll be expected to think on your feet!

 - Use argumentation techniques as outlined in your textbook (Chapter 10 in most editions) 

 - Also be prepared to use & cite from concrete evidence in order to support your position. This means you are expected to use correct Source Citation technique for any evidence and/or quotations you use.

 - Participants who engage in generalizations & "opinionating" will lose points.

 

b.  Overall presentation time is  20-25 minutes-TBD// PANEL FORMAT via "fishbowl setup"

 

c.  Consider using visual aids (ex. the chalkboard or Powerpoint are very useful for clarifying & listing obstacles & proposed solutions as the group develops them. {similar to our Fthr-Dgtr-Kidn activity}

 

d. These presentations will be graded by the Professor.  Primary grading criteria =

►clarity of the step-by-step problem solving procedure, &

►thoroughness in the exploration of the situation/obstacles, &

►variety /creativity of generated possible solutions.

 

e.  It's recommended that you also review the "Additional Considerations" listed on the Decision Making assignment sheet.  

 

 f.  Tips for participating  in a PANEL discussion =    Whenever doing a panel presentation, there is the awareness of an audience even though you actually are facing & addressing your fellow group participants. Whenever  you are involved in discussing a topic in front of an audience, remember that you are not talking TO them but you are talking FOR them. Be sure to keep your energy up & project your voice "out" in order to keep them motivated to listen  even though you are not making eye contact with them. The decision Presentation assignment sheet also includes some tips & guidelines.

 

g. As usual, the plan is to record this presentation in some way (probably audio only).   See your course calendar for the final specifications. If I am using a tape recorder be sure it is positioned where it can pick up all your voices & don't forget to push the button!

 
h. SUBMISSIONS SUMMARY:
   1. by _3/24_  each person emails Professor with his/her answer to THE big, Fix-it question "
("What is something about your group [ in this class] that isn’t quite working the way you would like it to?"
     2. by day of presentation, Leader/Moderator submits final A/0 to Professor & fellow group members
 

 

 

 

 

"Additional guidelines for the Leader Moderator"

 

    < This particular presentation requires a Leader/Moderator with strong organization,  listening, flexibility  and "directive" moderating skills.>

            [[If you don’t get to be leader/moderator this time, don’t worry.  You automatically will be expected to lead/moderate the final presentation.]]

 

For this presentation think of yourself as a project leader asked to convene a  meeting of knowledgeable problem solvers to discuss & devise a solution to this undesirable situation. This problem solving "think tank" will discuss the situation as a closed group-- not for an audience but for yourselves [as if you are inside of a fishbowl] while the rest of the class sits around you & quietly observes how you operate.

As presentation leader,  it will be your responsibility to prepare the  final discussion agenda on your own, by yourself.  You will  distribute  copies of this final version of the A/O to me AND to your group members on the day of the discussion/presentation before you begin your discussion. For most topics. this agenda should reference the same procedural "Standard Agenda" structure as the one in your text p.210 (3rd ed ) / p. 243 (4th ed) / p. 250 (5th ed) / p. 202 [6th ed]  . You should fill in appropriate details for the first 4 or so steps on the agenda. The final steps of: determination of the group's criteria, the proposing & analysis of solutions & the selection of the final solution and any plans for implementation all occur during the discussion itself so although you will list those steps on the agenda you probably won't be able to insert many details for them in advance.  

Predominant communication skills:  As moderator of the actual discussion, you can expect to do a lot of critical & comprehensive listening & to do a lot of Gatekeeping. You will also need to use "signposts" in order to continually make it clear when the discussion agenda moves from step to step --realizing that in actual discussions, things jump around in a non-orderly fashion & it is your job to insert clarifying summaries & paraphrases as necessary. You probably should NOT let the participants indulge in "spinning their wheels" ( i.e. non-productive repetition/redundancy). At the same time you will want to encourage creative & synergistic problem solving and argumentation (also discussed in the same chapter + ch 10 [ 6th ed]  / ch11 [ 5th ed] )

 Be sure to email  your professor if you have any other questions.

  updated 3/17