The Postgrad Critical Other upcoming workshops Thinking Toolbox - PDF document

1/08/2018 The Postgrad Critical Other upcoming workshops Thinking Toolbox Techniques to have more interesting discussions, tutorials and debates Presenter: Nina Ginsberg PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) In this session… Why is this session useful?  More verbal focused – not written Critical thinking is how the university trains us to evaluate material and make ‘judgements’  Techniques are valuable precursors for better critical thinking This session helps expand how you ‘think about the real world’ – which is  Adapted from Edward de Bono’s work mainly perceptual, not critical.  Participatory VIP: Being able to think about thinking (metacognition) – not just what you  Will take time to integrate into practice, so this session is about think (UG), but WHY you think it (PG) introducing + reinforcing some key moves The focus here is to explore a subject, not necessarily to make a judgement  Listen (to yourself and others) - how is what we cover today not/used? about it (that’s critical thinking!)  There are many more techniques – these are just a few key ones Making a judgement about a subject comes AFTER you have thoroughly  Techniques in this session can be frustrating , not because they are explored the subject in comprehensive detail (today’s focus) difficult, but because once you know them and start applying them, you Applying these skills will improve participation in discussions, tutorials and realise how insufficient and uninteresting many conversations are! debates – skills can also be applied elsewhere (transferable) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) Todays Focus Brief Warm-up Practice As you discuss: notice some of the ‘conversational 1. All Rounders moves’ that occur and how the idea is ‘examined’ by your team 2. Agreeing 3. Disagreeing Do you think Australia should introduce 4. Being interesting a sugar tax? Extras: Advanced Postscript: Concepts PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) 1

1/08/2018 A discussion should be a genuine Two extremes attempt to explore a subject rather than a battle between completing AGREEMENT DISAGREEMENT egos You are totally right… Yes, but… I agree with everything you said.. I totally disagree… Curious exploration of a subject I completely agree with you… You are wrong there…. Absolutely right.. That is not so… Not personal I agree with you 100%.... You are not right about that at all.. Avoid the need to be right ◦ Society = emphasizes argument/debate = no discussion! =argumentative / superiority ◦ Government, law and media Insignificant contribution Common in academia ◦ Winning and losing = is not very ‘beautiful’ Never 100% - place yourself somewhere in between PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) 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? All Rounders ◦ 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 the initial discussion question using OB3: Do you think there should be a sugar tax? PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) All rounder 2: PMI All rounder 3: Past, Present, Future PMI = Positive, Minus, Interesting point Good for general topics or ‘discuss What do you think of Australian politics? the issue of X..’ questions Past I think Australian politics is _(+)_ , however __(-)_. I find it interesting that _____ . Connected to 3 is the magic number Take Aways: ◦ Quick and easy to give an interesting answer ◦ Gives a better answer and your listener has more to respond to Compare & Contrast variation Present ◦ Applies to MANY situations – IELTS, conversations, essay brainstorms, etc.. ◦ Transitions words helps to ‘guide’ and ‘build up’ your points (helps with vocab & cohesion) Check facts (past), present (experience) & speculation (future) Future Use in a combo …like with OB3 = ‘critical details’ Check use of tense 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 ….. What do you think about telecommunications? Great for pretty much any topic, discussion or brainstorm! PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) 2

1/08/2018 All rounder 5: Social Domains All rounder 4: Spheres of experience Explore topic in relation to a (new?) social domain globally globally Compare and contrast variation Can help extend a subject in a new direction Stimulates lateral thinking on how issues could be connected or influenced How many sphere to include? continent continent Some examples: Depends.. Education Food Entertainment Business regionally regionally Leisure Sport Sanitation Parklands Expand out OR contract in Family Media Employment Resources Fashion Law/Legal Manufacturing Pets country country Need to clearly identify spheres Advanced: Domains can be used creatively to extend, such as.. (who, where) Classifications: Sports: Basketball, Roller Derby, Netball, Soccer. state state Opposites: Employment vs Family Discuss recycling. suburb suburb And in many any other ways - it is up to you! family family Make a list of as many ‘Social Domains’ as you can in 1 min PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) Social Domains Economics Wealth Pets Age Medical Art All Rounder 6: Super/Sub Production Distribution Farming Disability Wellbeing Music Resources Governance Food Violence Fitness Dance Helps people understand the various elements in Logistics Justice Habitat Crime Games Poetry your contribution Transport Communication Waste Shopping Family Time Main Idea Accounting Migration Sanitation Gardening Friends Culture Clear distinction between your ‘levels’ of super/sub (Super) (you can also include whys ‘because’) Regulations Identity Sustainability Skills Work Science Support Support Support Idea (Sub 1) Idea (Sub 2) Idea (Sub 3) Law/Legal Security Mobility Sexuality Leisure Houses Strong link to critical thinking Details Details Details Labour Ethics Recreation Customs Spirituality Drugs Transition words are critical here! Employment Energy Creativity Norms Travel Nature Welfare Water Beliefs Industry Memory Weather Helps with summary, expression & cohesion skills Technology Air Fashion Learning Furniture Geography What are the main reasons Shows strong organisation/structure and logic Buildings Flora Religion Education Business Sub-cultures some university students do Sanitation Animals Gender Health Commerce Rights Helps connect/link elements within a not complete their studies? subject/categories Task: Discuss ‘Pets’ in relation to: Public Holidays or Music or Religion or Buildings PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) All Rounder 7: Scale All Rounder 8: Ranking Visualise a scale 0 – 10 Helps you think widely and rank answers What daily actions can individuals take to protect Never position: 0 or 5 or 10 You can explain your ‘thinking out aloud’ as part the environment? Is Australia the of you answer (this can be a great ‘discussion Useful for your discussion and assignments: move!) ‘Lucky country’? You can then modify and To what degree…? specify for more critical The scale can structure your answer Forces you to take a position and make a detail or focused discussion judgement (which then needs to backed it up!) Is a good way to more interestingly answer closed questions Gives some structure (for you) and gives you What three daily actions can audience more to respond to individuals take in the Challenge your audience to commit to ranking morning to protect the answers like: ‘ What do you think are the three environment? most… who is stumped, who is really ‘listening’ and who actually answers the (full) question PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) PRESENTED BY NINA GINSBERG (T2 2018) 3