Friday, October 4, 2013
The Principles and Goals of Harkness Critical Conversations Going Forward
Today we used the Harkness Method officially for the very first time. We will use it a good deal going forward during this year. At the beginning of the class, we mentioned focusing on three points: 1) Posture, 2) Engagement, and 3) Looking at the Class. Given that we will be using this method and you've now had a chance to begin to use it as a group for 9-10 minutes, please reflect on what principles and "rules" (i.e., posture, engagement, etc.) you think that you as an individual and the group as a whole must focus on and develop to make our critical conversations even more effective? Please respond by offering THREE thoughtful ideas about what you think you AND the group must do together to improve our work in class even more. You can respond in bullet points, but if you are make sure they are complete sentences with a clear explanation of what you mean. Avoid using the things we focused on today unless you want to offer another level of reflection on them.
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Three ideas that will help the class have meaningful discussions are the following. 1- I think that to maintain a high quality discussion it is necessary to listen to what your classmates have to say. It is detrimental to a discussion to repeat things that have already been said, and this can be avoided by listening. 2- Everyone in the class should be encouraged to participate. There will always be certain discussions where certain people participate less than others, but everyone in the class should be encouraged to give at least a little bit of their opinion. 3- Although everyone should be encouraged to participate, if you don't have anything meaningful to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. A lot of fluff is only going to be detrimental to a conversation/debate.
ReplyDelete-We need to make sure we don't drift to far from the original topic. Often we find ourselves discussing something that has very little to do with what we started on; we have to catch ourselves when we start to go off topic.
ReplyDelete-Everyone should be included in the conversation. Sometimes the conversation will go back in forth between a few people, shutting out others who try to join in. Even if you started the argument, you need to make sure others can further it.
-Sometimes we can get excited and just start shouting at each other, so you can't hear anyone. We need to make sure we handle our enthusiasm and take turns because it is more effective to form good arguments then yell to the point where you can't here anything.
•we need to be respectful to what others have to say, and instead of saying what YOU think, listen to them first.
ReplyDelete•sometimes what we're talking about will go off topic, so we need to remember to stay on topic.
•everyone should be encouraged to say something, but if they don't talk in that discussion, they shouldn't be forced to, because they might not have anything to say.
-Sometimes we have a tendency to drone on and as a result aren't able to cover or complete the discussion. We need to watch the time and keep in mind that other people want to talk.
ReplyDelete-Great discussions always include different opinions on a certain topic, but disagreeing just to disagree is another thing. If every one has come to conclusion, then it is isn't fair or interesting for us to have to stay on that one topic for a while. It becomes repetitive. If only you disagree, but you can see the other people's point of view, then let the conversation move on.
- Respecting what other people have to say is another big thing. Large groans and sighs while others are talking are disrespectful. Although we may disagree, we need to save it for when it's our turn to talk.
-we need to think before we speak and be respectful of others.
ReplyDelete-not repeat what has already been said; we shouldn't speak just to say that we agree with another person; the discussion would be more meaningful if we introduced more ideas
-not interrupt each other; which is hard because so many people want to talk, but we could do a better job of waiting for an appropriate time to speak. Also we yell a lot, so that could be improved.
1) We should be relating our discussions to the essay or story that inspired it. It's fine to argue certain things but we need to be able to see why the argument is important in relation to the text.
ReplyDelete2) We should all be taking time after we read the text to reflect on what it means and not just making snap second opinions. Instead of reading something and automatically assuming it means one thing, look at it from all angles and dimensions.
3) Try to stay aware of the conversation. If it's flowing one way don't jerk it in another direction until the right moment approaches. Sometimes we have a tendency to jump from idea to idea without consideration.
Three ways we can better our class discussions are:
ReplyDelete1. Before speaking, people must decide what they are going to say an make sure it furthers the discussion. Comments shouldn't be too long or short because it is hard to further a discussion when someone rambles or makes to short of a comment.
2. EVERYBODY should make a comment during the discussion and everybody should .know the material well enough to make a comment. Everybody;s opinion will help a discussion.
3. We should give "speaking rights" to people who haven't spoken as much. If 2 people begin to speak at the same time, give the person who hasn't spoken as much speaking time.
1. I think you shouldn't be allowed to interrupt when someone else is talking. It will be much easier to interrupt without having to raise hands and while you may have something very important to say wait until the person is done.
ReplyDelete2. If two people start talking at the same time let the person who hasn't talked as much go first. It will be very easy for people people who are less aggressive about their ideas and don't talk much to get overwhelmed by a very uncontrolled discussion. We should always let the person who hasn't talked as much go first.
3. Try to keep the conversation on track. If you realize a discussion has gone astray you should definitely say something to keep the discussion about the right things. track.
- Sometimes a couple of people get into heated argument that prevents others from joining in on. Maybe we should try and not talk if we just said something.
ReplyDelete- pay attention to what everyone else has said. You just waste everyones time if you repeat exactly what someone else just said
- Stay on track and on the chosen topic. Don't try to change the topic to something else.
- When you say something, make sure you are saying it to the class and not to the teacher. Look at your classmates when you are talking.
~I think that we must make sure to take into account what others are saying. I have noticed that sometimes we are so focused on what we are going to say next, and we don't pay attention to what others are saying.
ReplyDelete~Make sure that everything that you say is related to the topic. Our class has a tendency to stay from topic.
~Be open to others ideas. Let your opinion be swayed.
(1) - Everyone should have some sort of grasp of what the conversation should be focused on. Therefore, many ideas and views can be thrown out while still on topic. However, whoever states their opinion first, should hold leadership because their guidance determines how other individuals will present afterwards.
ReplyDelete(2) - Many people perceive and understand points in different ways, due to clarity. Having that said, one must contemplate their ideas and be able to orate them clearly, while having evidence to support their proposal. Making sure all these things are covered, gives one an advantage towards everyone respecting their opinion, which results to a more organized conversation.
(3) - Last but not least, feedback is an important factor to a key discussion. Others should argue back their ideas to one's theory, because disagreements can arise a "good" negativity that brings fundamental concepts into play, which helps conclude the main message.
1. Having a clear knowledge of the reading and the text we have been assigned will help the flow of discussion and will also boost the number of thoughtful comments in our discussion.
ReplyDelete2. There needs to be an equal distribution of talking time by allowing others who don’t speak much to participate. Often those who stay quiet and talk the least have the most interesting things to say. People should not talk just to hear their voice, but make sure that they think first and make good contributions to the discussion or argument, and not just words.
3. People should not change the topic in the middle of a discussion just because they want to ask their question. It is hard when you have prepared good questions, but try to wait for the right time to state them.
1. We need to make sure that we stay on topic because we have had a problem with talking about things that are no relevant.
ReplyDelete2. We need to be respectful of others and not yell or interrupt.
3. Make sure that you are aware of what has already been said because restating things does not contribute to the conversation.
To improve our conversations, I think we need to make sure we are listening to everyone when they speak rather than interrupting and not paying attention to what they are saying. We also need to make sure we are giving everyone a chance to speak, since some people are less inclined to speak out in a group we ned to make sure we include them. We also need to do better about staying on topic and not distracted and going off onto unrelated tangents.
ReplyDeleteI think that to improve our conversations we must be able to not just meaningful conversation, but also listen to what each other is saying. It is also never helpful to just comment with a yes or no, but to also elaborate points to the best of your ability. I also seem to notice that in our class there are only a few key people speaking, we must make an effort to include everyone in the conversation because this is discussion not just something to watch. Lastly, we must make sure to stay on topic throughout the discussion and argue about petty subjects or comments.
ReplyDelete1. Eliminate all comments that don't add anything to the conversation, such as "I agree with what ______ said." I get that this isn't a big problem but some people do this and act like they are done because they made a comment.
ReplyDelete2. Make everyone make at least one comment that adds to the conversation.
3. Limit the amount of time that someone can take up in a class period because it seems that some people talk just to talk and the rest of the class just moves on like nothing ever happened but with less class time.
1.) Don't repeat yourself, or what someone else said. Think of something to say that no one has said yet, but don't just go to some random topic.
ReplyDelete2.) Listen to what others are saying, and be mindful about what they are saying. Also if you talk a lot, then let others get involved in the conversation as well.
3.) Don't interrupt people because someone might have a meaningful idea, and they could forget what they were talking about.
1.) listen and respect what other people's views are
ReplyDelete2.) don't interrupt other people wait till they are done talking
3.) do not repeat others ideas just to say I agree or disagree
Interrupting shouldn’t be aloud. It’s really annoying when someone is talking and someone else interrupts them. It’s impolite, and something we should all try to avoid. Everyone should listen to the discussion. Listening is also very important when having a conversation. It is easier to keep the conversation going if everyone is listening and understanding what is happening. Everyone should come prepared to class ready to contribute to the discussions. No one likes awkward silence that happens when no one has anything to say. But if everyone comes to class with discussion questions, and notes then that won’t happen.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to always be thinking about what to say so we don't just fade off. Also, we should say if we agree with someone without restating everything they said. Don't be afraid to move the conversation on. My third idea is that we should ask questions so other people can respond easily.
ReplyDeleteTo ensure that our class is having critical and effective conversations we should be able to refrain from pressuring anyone to make a comment, respect each other’s opinions, and always work hard to create a safe environment for our classmates to feel free to speak in. At times it may be helpful to encourage your neighbor to say something to the class but announcing for people to speak up in front of the whole group can be a little bit of peer pressure. You don’t have to agree with every comment someone makes, but try not to bash there comments. When someone is speaking your body and facial reactions affect them. People internalize not only what you say but also what you do. So when you are dramatically shaking your head no, stomping your feet, or reacting negative like that you can cause a person to feel less comfortable to say something else in class after such a bad reaction to one of their opinions. Lastly treat your group how you would like to be treated when you’re saying something.
ReplyDeleteKnow what you are going to say before you say it.
ReplyDeleteMake sure the other person is done with their comment before you start to talk (Don't interupt)
Listen to what other people have to say, and respect their thoughts and opinions.
I think we should respect what other people say, and remember that no one is correct or wrong we are all just giving our opinions.
ReplyDeleteWe should make sure to give other people a chance to give an input and everybody should monitor how much they talk during class because too much talking and not talking at all is equally as bad.
Try not to repeat exactly what somebody else said, giving new perspectives makes for a more creative discussion.
I feel like that we should try to get everyonne's input during disscusions so we have a sense of what is the overall opinion and also just to hear what those who rarely speak have to say.
ReplyDeleteWe should also try to not repeat things that have already been said so that we can get a change on perspective to the disscussions so that we can have effective disscusions.
Lastly I would like for our disscusions to go a little deeper when it comes to the philosofical questions sometimes asked during class, this will I think help to gain a better deeper understanding of some of our disscussion topics.
- Give a chance to let people have a silent reflection for a minute or so. We tried this at my old school and a lot of people came up with great discussion questions after just absorbing what is being said. We have a tendency not to do that as much.
ReplyDelete- Allow other people who don't talk as much chance to speak. We do that by calling out people's names, which shouldn't be the case, but if the people who dominate the discussion can hold back some of their comments, that can benefit others who don't speak up as much to have the initiative to do that.
- If people start to go off topic, don't stop the discussion immediately. It's disruptive of the discussion and they could be on to something relating to that topic even more. If the topic gets totally out of hand and people start to talk about "pandas" when they are supposed to be talking about "the government", then there is an exception to gently guide those people back on track.
People shouldn't really think about what to say ahead of time, they should just talk like it's a normal conversation. Then it will feel more real instead of people saying different points that aren't that related to each other.
ReplyDeletePeople should only research really relevant stuff on their gadgets and they should only say relevant stories.
We got to know when to change topics and when to not change topics.
Conversations should be completely natural, no hand raising.
ReplyDeleteTry to keep conversations on track without restricting it too much. Try to be a loose as possible.
Though you should try and let some other people speak, try and just jump in whenever something is on your mind to avoid losing the thought.