The Postgrad Critical Discussion Toolbox Techniques to have more interesting discussions, tutorials and debates Presenter: Nina Ginsberg 1 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
2 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Diversity & Inclusion English language use Race Ethnicity Nationality Age Neuro diverse Religion SES status Politics Personality Culture Experiences Gender Living conditions Diff-Abilities Historical biography GPA results Skills and Competencies Physical attributes Educational background All are welcome, safe Emotional state Thinking and learning styles Identity/Orientation Personal perspectives/beliefs and valued in Family Structure How well you ride a bike my sessions Employment status Amount of imaginary friends Images: Deloitte, Auckland Council & PRSA 3 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
PPT available at Go to: Bicycles Create Change.com > Resources Page 4 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Other upcoming workshops 5 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
In this session… Ø More verbally focused – not written Ø Techniques are valuable precursors to improve critical thinking Ø Adapted from Edward de Bono’s work Ø Participatory Ø Will take time to integrate into practice, so this session is about introducing + reinforcing some key moves Ø Listen (to yourself and others) - how is what we cover today not/used? Ø There are many more techniques – these are just a few key ones Ø Techniques in this session can be frustrating , not because they are difficult, but because once you know them and start applying them, you realise how insufficient and uninteresting many conversations are! 6 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Why is this session useful? Critical thinking is how the university trains us to evaluate material and make ‘judgements’ Helps expand how to ‘think about the real world’ – which is mainly perceptual, not critical VIP: Being able to think about thinking (metacognition) – not just what you think (UG), but WHY and HOW you think it (PG) Ability to fully explore a subject, not just make a judgement about it Making a judgement about a subject comes AFTER you have thoroughly explored the subject in comprehensive detail (today’s focus) Applying these skills improve participation in discussions, tutorials and debates – skills can also be applied elsewhere (transferable) 7 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Quick Warm-up Practice As you discuss: notice some of the ‘conversational moves’ that occur and how the idea is ‘examined’ by your team Should university education be free? 8 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Todays Focus 1. All Rounders 2. Agreeing 3. Disagreeing 4. Being interesting Extras: Much more content at the end of this PPT 9 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
0% 50% 100% = BIASED OR BORING (or BOTH) 10 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Two extremes AGREEMENT DISAGREEMENT You are totally right… Yes, but… I agree with everything you said.. I totally disagree… I completely agree with you… You are wrong there…. Absolutely right.. That is not so… I agree with you 100%.... You are not right about that at all.. = no discussion! =argumentative / superiority Insignificant contribution Common in academia Never 100% ( or 50%) take a position 11 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
A discussion should be a genuine attempt to explore a subject rather than a battle between completing egos Curious exploration of a subject Not personal Avoid the need to be right ◦ Society = emphasizes argument/debate ◦ Government, law and media ◦ Winning and losing = is not very ‘beautiful’ 12 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounders 13 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All rounder 1: OB3 OB3 = Opinion + because + 3 reasons Anyone can provide an opinion – few give reasons for it! ‘because’ is your new favorite word! Why? Three is the magic number – why? ◦ Is a quick and easy way thinking approach that can be applied universally ◦ Provides some dimensionality - avoid binary thinking ◦ Adds interest, critical details and depth ◦ Gives more critical detail for the audience to connect with ◦ Is much more interesting, advanced and thoughtful – esp. at PG level ◦ Challenges your audience to be more engaged and active – sets a bench mark Revisit this question using OB3: Should Australia introduce a sugar tax? 14 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All rounder 2: PMI PMI = Positive, Minus, Interesting point What do you think of Australian politics? I think Australian politics is _(+)_ , however __(-)_. I find it interesting that _____ . Take Aways: ◦ Quick and easy to give an interesting answer ◦ Gives a better answer and your listener has more to respond to ◦ Applies to MANY situations – IELTS, conversations, essay brainstorms, etc.. ◦ Transitions words helps to ‘guide’ and ‘build up’ your points (helps with vocab & cohesion) Use in a combo …like with OB3 = ‘critical details’ I think Australian politics could be seen as useful because it is (+ #1), (+ #2) and (+ #3). Conversely, I think that it has a number of drawbacks, such as (- #1), (- #2) and ( - #3). Also, I do find it interesting that ….. Great for pretty much any topic, discussion or brainstorm! 15 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounder 3: Past, Present, Future Good for general topics or ‘discuss the issue of X..’ questions Past Connected to 3 is the magic number Compare & Contrast variation Present Check facts (past), present (experience) & speculation (future) Future Check use of tense What do you think about education? 16 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounder 4: Spheres of experience globally Compare and contrast variation How many sphere to include? continent Depends.. regionally Expand out OR contract in country Need to clearly identify spheres (who, where) state Discuss recycling. suburb family 17 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounder 5: Social Domains Explore topic in relation to a (new?) social domain Can help extend a subject in a new direction Stimulates lateral thinking on how issues could be connected or influenced Some examples: Education Food Entertainment Business Leisure Sport Sanitation Parklands Family Media Employment Resources Fashion Law/Legal Manufacturing Pets Advanced: Domains can be used creatively to extend, such as.. Classifications: Sports: Basketball, Roller Derby, Netball, Soccer. Opposites: Employment vs Family And in many any other ways - it is up to you! Make a list of as many ‘Social Domains’ as you can in 1 min 18 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
Social Domains Economics Wealth Pets Age Medical Art Production Distribution Farming Disability Wellbeing Music Resources Governance Food Violence Fitness Dance Logistics Justice Habitat Crime Games Poetry Transport Communication Waste Shopping Family Time Accounting Migration Sanitation Gardening Friends Culture Regulations Identity Sustainability Skills Work Science Law/Legal Security Mobility Sexuality Leisure Houses Labour Ethics Recreation Customs Spirituality Drugs Employment Energy Creativity Norms Travel Nature Welfare Water Beliefs Industry Memory Weather Technology Air Fashion Learning Furniture Geography Buildings Flora Religion Education Business Sub-cultures Sanitation Animals Gender Health Commerce Rights Task: Discuss ‘Pets’ in relation to: Public Holidays or Music or Religion or Buildings… 19 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounder 6: Super/Sub Helps people understand the various elements in your contribution Main Idea Clear distinction between your ‘levels’ of super/sub (Super) (you can also include whys ‘because’) Support Support Support Idea (Sub 1) Idea (Sub 2) Idea (Sub 3) Strong link to critical thinking Details Details Details Transition words are critical here! Helps with summary, expression & cohesion skills What are the main reasons some university students do Shows strong organisation/structure and logic not complete their studies? Helps connect/link elements within a subject/categories 20 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
All Rounder 7: Scale Visualise a scale 0 – 10 Never position: 0 or 5 or 10 Is Australia the Useful for your discussion and assignments: ‘lucky country’? To what degree…? The scale can structure your answer Is a good way to more interestingly answer closed questions 21 26/7/19 NINA GINSBERG (T2 2019) BICYCLES CREATE CHANGE.COM
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