sample class exercise
HOW TO INTEGRATE AN “R” DIMENSION INTO A GROUP DISCUSSION PROJECT
Let’s say you’re including a performance unit in a class that involves controversial or difficult group problem-solving. From an “R” perspective, you don’t only want to have the activity per se, but to build in a reflective component (see “4 Keys” page on this site) that helps the students become aware of and evaluate their own performance.
In preparing this unit, you might go the Group Communication page on this site and see that there is a textbook chapter on “Managing Conflict in the Small Group” referenced as an Eres document. Among the network of concepts developed in this reading, a categorization of conflict management styles is summarily described (here paraphrased or quoted):
“Avoidance” (passive approach that avoids conflict)
“Accommodation” (highly cooperative style through passive appeasement)
“Competition” (aggressive, uncooperative style based on winning/losing frame)
“Collaboration” (cooperative, assertive negotiating to meet everyone’s needs)
“Compromise” (looking for shared outcome that involves all giving something up)
One class exercise could be to have a group meeting, and then have the students evaluate which of the conflict management styles they used, and have a discussion about the implications. A follow-up exercise would be to use the 8-point recommendation list for ethical conflict management described in the text as a rubric for a follow-on discussion:
1. Do express your disagreement.
2. Stick with the issue at hand.
3. Use rhetorical sensitivity in expressing your disagreement.
4. Disagree with the idea but do not ever criticize the person.
5. Base your disagreement on evidence and reasoning.
6. React to disagreement with a spirit of inquiry, not defensiveness.
7. If someone persists in attacking you, stay calm and speak reasonably.
8. Use an integrative rather than a distributive approach to solving the conflict.
This rubric can be used by the students in the group process itself, and can be used as an evaluation instrument as well.