Chap. 9 Participating in Group Discussions

1. Chap. 9Participating in Group Discussions Spring, 2010 Advanced Oral Communication Chen Yi-chen

2. A Success Group Discussion • What is the purpose of having group discussions? • Two head are better than one. • Not to mention “many heads”!! • What is the goal of group discussions? • Solve problems. • Brainstorm, exchange, and evaluate ideas and info. • Why do group discussions sometimes become “not productive”? • Active and dynamic aura. • Participants wander aimlessly from point to point without a plan

3. Path to Successful Problem Solving for Group Discussion • Step 1: Identify a problem to solve • Step 2: Prove the problem exists • Step 3: Explain the cause of the problem • Step 4: Predict possible future effects of the problem. • Step 5: Present possible solutions to the problem. • Step 6: Select the best solutions.

4. Path to Being an Effective Group Leader • Step 1: introduce the participants • Step 2: state the problem to be discussed • Step 3: make sure that the organizational plan is followed • Step 4: encourage all group members to participate • Step 5: provide transitions btw each step • Step 6:bring the discussion to a close. • Step 7: Thank the participants

5. Path to Being a Responsible Group Member • Step 1: be prepared with evidence • Step 2: make a sufficient number of contributions • Step 3: don’t monopolize the discussion • Step 4: be open-minded • Step 5: pay attention to other participants’ contributions • Step 6: refer to all participants by name

6. Activity • Form a group of 6-7 people. • Choose a leader, a presenter, and an evaluator. • Choose one or two cultural values/assumptions that interests all group members. • Brainstorm what problems you can foresee Taiwanese encounter when being with American, or problems that American may face in their future. Explain the reasons. Find out solutions. • Present the results to the class. • Give evaluation & comments.