dialogue

Contributor: Sandra Sinfield @Danceswithcloud

Idea: When starting dialogue/discussion between students/participants, set up a structure for engagement – and the building of trust, using TMD. With TMD you give people about three contentious statements about the topic – and ask them to talk about those statements in as free and uncensored way as possible, for a set amount of time (7-20 mins). At the end of that time – you can draw thoughts back from the whole group in a plenary. Why it works: by prompting the discussion you might be shaking people out of performative answers or silence. (We often get people to draw a representation of their partner after the discussion based on the conversation – and to use that to introduce their partner to the class.)

Practitioner comments: “The use of prompts helps to get people started in a meaningful conversation whilst otherwise they might be silent – or might just bang on about their own position – without straying from a comfort zone or really engaging their thought processes. NB: also models a qualitative research method alternative to a questionnaire.”

Credits: “I first encountered this idea listening to a programme on Community Development on Radio4. I cannot remember who did this – but it seemed a great strategy for teaching situations also. Have since seen articles by Palus & Drath on ‘putting something in between’…”

Contributor: Stewart Hase @stewarthase

Idea: At the start of a new course, students make something that says something about them with Play Dough using as many colours as they like. Ask them while making it to think of what they want to achieve and expectations in this course. Items are on a table and people talk to them and also about what they want to achieve and expectations. You also state your expectations. These become learning contracts. The creative act of making something with the Play Dough activates the creative centres, motivates and enables creative ideas, openness and engagement.

Practitioner comments: I use it a lot in all sorts of education settings to get things going and talk about expectations in a safe environment. Expectations are the key to getting things done.

Link: www.stewarthase.com.au