Weekly Group Discussions

Due End of Week, see Calendar

Estimated Time: 1 hr

Expectations

The first level of learning is preparation. The second level of learning is discussion.

Each week you will need to complete the week’s reading and video viewing by Wednesday. Then you will be able to discuss the readings and videos with your classmates in smaller groups via a discussion board thread or an approved synchronous meeting tool such as Adobe Connect. You will alternate between the two approaches (discussion board and Adobe Connect or equivalent)depending on the particular lesson.

Because the class is designed to produce responsive professionals who can listen to and appreciate others’ points of view, the discussion format is an essential part of this class. You should feel free to bring up what you are most interested in talking about, but be sure that it is related to the readings, videos, and PowerPoints viewed that week. Share your unique insights and perspectives with your discussion group members. In addition to talking about what you are most interested in, conversation points or questions will be provided in the lesson introductions and with some of the readings and videos. Please use these for help in getting started. They will help you consider critical principles related to being a professional who is responsive to culture and diversity.

If you will seek to take full advantage of this opportunity, you will find that your classmates can be some of your greatest resources for succeeding in the course. They will help you understand the material better and they will give you ideas to help prepare you to deal sensitively with diversity wherever you encounter it.

Directions

For Discussion Board Conversations -- even-numbered lessons:

IF your instructor asks you to be a Lead Student this week:

Begin a new thread sharing an insight/question/idea from the Getting Started materials that week which you would like to explore by late Tuesday.
Complete the preparatory readings, videos, and/or PowerPoint slides as early as you can -- by late Wednesday at the latest.
- Note: If you are asked to be a Lead Student on a week you will be unable to fulfill the responsibilities, let your instructor know as soon as possible so someone else can be assigned.
Help monitor the discussion and deepen the conversation.
Make at least 3 additional posts by the due date. At least two (or all) should be a response to something said on the thread you began, but you may participate on as many threads as you want.
Your responses should be an insight/question/idea that helps your classmates deepen their thinking about the topic.
- “I think you’re right; I've never thought about that before,” or “That's great!” are supportive comments, but they aren’t very meaningful. Asking probing questions or sharing appropriate experiences will help to create significant conversations that elicit real learning/teaching.

IF you are not a lead student:

Look through the initial post and respond to one that interests you by Wednesday.
Follow the conversation on one or two threads and post at least 3 additional responses by the due date.
- At least 2 of your responses should be on the same thread but should respond to different classmates' posts. (Don't just talk to the same person all the time.)
Your responses should be an insight/question/idea that helps your classmates deepen their thinking about the topic.
- “I think you’re right; I've never thought about that before,” or “That's great!” are supportive comments, but they aren’t very meaningful. Asking probing questions or sharing appropriate experiences will help to create significant conversations that elicit real learning/teaching.
If the lead student has not posted by Wednesday please be proactive and begin a new thread to get the conversation rolling.

Note: These are minimum requirements. You may spend more time on the discussion board if you wish. Active participation on the discussion boards will help you complete your one-liners and reflection assignments.

Also, please remember that the emphasis for this activity is to have helpful conversations with others. Although, your posts do not have a length requirement, there is an expectation that you will contribute meaningfully and professionally. Substandard posts will negatively affect your grade.

For Synchronous Meetings (such as Adobe Connect) -- odd-numbered lessons:

IF your instructor asks you to be a Lead Student:

Complete the preparatory readings, videos, and/or PowerPoint slides as early as you can -- by early Wednesday at the latest.
- Note: If you are asked to be a Lead Student on a week you will be unable to fulfill the responsibilities, let your instructor know as soon as possible so someone else can be assigned.
Post in that weeks discussion board when you will host a Small Discussion Group meeting and how you will meet with the link or instructions (e.g. what Adobe Connect room you will use).
List a few things you would like to talk about.
Host a Small Discussion Group meeting:
- Make sure the technology works. For Adobe Connect, make sure you have Presenter rights and can manipulate the various Adobe Connect functions correctly.
- Make sure the conversation doesn't stagnate.
- Make sure the conversation remains on relevant topics.
  - Know what ideas your group members have posted that they would like to talk about ad use them (you don't have to get to every one) to conduct a meaningful discussion.
- Try to get everyone to participate fully. Don't leave someone who is more timid out.
- Guide the discussion. Make sure your group spends at least 15-20 minutes talking about relevant insights /questions /ideas pertaining to the class.
  - Time spent on idle chatter or social banter should not be counted as part of the 15-20 minutes set aside for this activity.
- Email your instructor a short (50-100 words) summary of your Small Discussion Group meeting and some of the best ideas to come out of the conversation.
  - Include a list of participants in your group for that week.
Report on your participation when you complete your Weekly Report.

IF you are not a lead student:

Look through the initial posts and find a time you can meet with a topic that interests you.
Reply to the initial post letting the lead student know you plan to attend.
- Each Small Discussion Group meeting is limited to 5-6 students. (Smaller groups will be able to have more interaction with each other.)
  - If a group is already full, you will need to find another group to join. Do not make groups larger than 6 students.
  - If you later determine you cannot attend, post that information to the group as soon as possible so others may join in and take your place and the lead student knows whom to expect at the meeting.
Post an insight/ question/ idea or two you would like to discuss with your group.
Attend a Small Discussion Group meeting:
- Make sure the technology works. For Adobe Connect, make sure you have Presenter rights and can manipulate the various Adobe Connect functions correctly.
- Attend the full meeting.
  - Do not plan to come late or leave early.
  - Participate fully by sharing your insights and learning from others.
- Spend at least 15-20 minutes talking about relevant insights/ questions/ ideas pertaining to the class.
  - Time spent in idle chatter or social banter should not be counted as part of the 15-20 minutes set aside for this activity.
Report on your participation when you complete your Weekly Report.

Note: For all discussion activities, you should take notes on what is discussed. This will help you as you develop your one-liners and write your weekly reflection.

Small Discussion Groups are different from Semester Long Presentation Teams

These small groups are separate and distinct from the team you will be working with throughout the semester for your Semester Project. These small groups will meet to discuss what you are learning from each week’s reading/video/PowerPoints and will be different every week in order for you to be able to benefit from a variety of perspectives.