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Level
3 moves: (excellent contributions to
discussion)
-
Bring
in a resource (reading, web link, video, news item) not included in
the syllabus that adds new information or perspective to our learning
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Make
a comment that underscores the link between two people’s
contributions.
Make this link explicit in your comment.
-
Contribute
something that builds on or springs from what someone else has said.
Be explicit about the way you are building on the other person’s
thoughts.
-
Make
a summary observation that takes into account several people’s
contributions and that touches on a recurring theme in the discussion.
-
Disagree
with someone is a respectful and constructive way.
Level
2 moves: (good contributions to discussion)
-
Ask
a question or make a comment that shows you are interested in what
another person says.
-
Ask
a question or make a comment that encourages another person to
elaborate on something they have already said.
-
Make
a specific comment indicating how you found another person’s ideas
interesting or useful.
-
Ask
a cause-and-effect question. (example: “can you explain why you
think it’s true that if these things are in place such and such a
thing will occur?”)
Level
1 moves: (fair contributions to discussion)
-
Use
body language to show interest in what different speakers are saying.
-
When
you think it’s appropriate, ask the group for a moment’s silence
to slow the pace of conversation and give you, and others, time to
think.
-
Make
a comment that at least partly paraphrases a point someone has already
made.
-
Find
a way to express appreciation for the enlightenment you have gained
from the discussion. Be specific about what it was that helped you
understand something better.
-
Create
space for someone who has not yet spoken to contribute to the
conversation. Specifically invite someone else to speak.
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For any week, do any of the above noted “moves”
for credit toward participation. Participation grade for each week
based on total points:
·
level 3 move = 3 points
·
level two moves = 2 points
·
level 1 moves = 1 point
Aim for a total of 9 points from any combination of
moves for an A
(examples: 3 level 3 moves = 9 points, 1 level 3 +
3 level 2 moves = 9 points, 1 level 3 + 2 level 2 moves = 7 points,
3 level 1 + 1 level 2 moves = 5 points, etc.)
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9 points = A+
8 points = A
7 points = A-
6 points = B
5 points = B-
4 points = C
3 points = C-
2 points = D
1 point = D-
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Discussion
Roles:
-
Problem,
Dilemma or Theme Poser: has the task of introducing the topic of
conversation. Draws on your own ideas and experiences as a way of
helping others into conversation about the theme.
-
Reflective
Analyst: keeps a record of the conversation’s development. Every
twenty minutes or so, give a summary that focuses on shared concerns,
issues skirted, and emerging common themes.
-
Scrounger:
listens for helpful resources, suggestions, and tips that participants
have voiced as they discuss how to work through the problem or
situation. Keeps a record of these ideas that is read aloud before the
session ends.
-
Devil’s
Advocate: listens carefully for any emerging consensus, formulates
and expresses a contrary view. This keeps group-think in check and
helps participants explore a range of alternative interpretations.
-
Detective:
listens carefully for unacknowledged, unchecked, and unchallenged
biases that seem to be emerging in the conversation and brings these
to the group’s attention. Assumes particular responsibility for
alerting group members to concerns of race, class, and gender bias.
Listens for cultural blindness, gender insensitivity, and comments
that ignore variables of power and class.
-
Theme
Spotter: identifies themes that arise during the discussion that
are left unexplored and that might form a focus for the new session.
-
Umpire:
listens for judgmental comments that sound offensive, insulting, and
demeaning, and that contradict ground rules for discussion generated
by group members.
-
Textual
Focuser: whenever assertions are made that seem unconnected to the
text being discussed, this person asks the speaker to let the group
know where in the text the point being made occurs or how the comment
otherwise relates to the text under discussion.
-
Evidential
Assessor: asks the speaker to give the evidence for empirical
generalizations that are stated as self-evident fact but that actually
seem more like opinion.
-
Synthesizer:
attempts to underscore links between different contributions
Consider adopting one or more of
these roles for any given discussion. Experiment with roles you typically
do not take on.
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