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3.5
Seeking Divergent Thinking
Submitted by Shannon Wheatley Hartman
This activity describes how to systematically examine a topic from a multi-dimensional approach. It encourages divergent thinking by asking participants to generate different questions and viewpoints about a single area of concern, deepening appreciation for complexity.
Learning Goals
Practice examining an issue from multiple perspectives and dimensions.
Practice crafting discussion questions that examine different dimensions of a topic.
Instructions
Set Up: Prepare for the Activity
Select a broad issue that is important or pressing for the group (i.e. Housing, Food Security, Climate Change, AI, etc.).
Share the Surrounding the Topic Diagram on the board, screen, or as a handout. Place the topic at the center.
Share the Crafting Discussion Questions Worksheet.
Begin by introducing the learning goals of this activity.
Step One: Generate Possible Dimensions (5 min)
As a full group, invite participants to generate a list of dimensions that affect or are affected by this topic. Dimensions tend to be broad categories like governance, technology, religion/spirituality, culture, law/ethics, politics, psychology, arts, media, economics, environment, etc.
Sample dimensions are included in the Surrounding the Topic Diagram. Use or replace these. As a group, populate all external circles of the diagram with different but relevant dimensions.
Step Two: Craft Discussion Questions (10 min)
In pairs, ask participants to craft open ended questions for each dimension. Explain that the questions are to be designed for a discussion group. Instruct them to record these questions in the Crafting Discussion Questions Worksheet.
The questions should be open-ended (avoiding yes/no answers).
Participants should try to briefly explain the rationale for this question.
Once teams have multiple questions, ask them to consider the strategic ordering of questions and record their thoughts in the first column.
Step Three: Discuss Questions in Small Groups (25 min)
Return to the full group or create small discussion groups (6-8 ppl), and begin discussing the topic.
Ask for a volunteer to share their first question. Discuss the question.
As the discussion unfolds, invite another participant to share a question that explores a new dimension.
The discussion group may only have enough time to discuss 2-3 questions. Instruct them that it is better to focus on a couple of dimensions of the topic and not try to discuss all dimensions or questions.
Remind them that crafting discussion questions help them to mentally prepare for the discussion, even if they don’t get a chance to share their questions.
Step Four: Debrief as a Full Group (10 min)
Would anyone like to share a favorite discussion question that they weren’t able to introduce during the discussion?
What does the exercise of “surrounding the topic” do? How did new or less expected dimensions open up the discussion?
How did you experience crafting questions? How did this help you prepare for our discussion?
How do you think the discussion would have gone today if we did not surround the topic or prepare multiple discussion questions in advance?
TIME
50
min
MODULE
Critical Collaboration
This activity can be completed by any discussion group.
This activity can be easily modified for asynchronous learning. See Sample Asynchronous Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
This activity is suitable for professional or more formal learning environments.
This activity can be used to support facilitation skills. See Sample Facilitation Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
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0 Comments
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:58:08 AM
Activity 4.8 provides useful phrases and techniques, as well as helps participants develop their own, to join in during discussions and express their views according to the goals they choose for themselves on what they want to offer to the discussion and how they want to be perceived.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:52:48 AM
Activity 4.7 uses a tactile and fun method, like a bag of beans, to have participants experience what it is like to have different amounts of power in a conversation. This activity also highlights how we base our ideas of how power is distributed on stereotypes.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:48:29 AM
Activity 4.6 employs useful tools like the Question Chart to help participants learn how to craft "good questions" that move beyond any assumptions they have about the views of others based on stereotypes or third party descriptions, and unearth their true views on the issue.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:45:08 AM
Activity 4.5 uses visual aids like the Emotion Wheel to push participants to move beyond just cognitive empathy and shows how to reflect back the emotions and understand their source through dialogue. It also helps participants differentiate between messages of intentional empathy and problem-solving.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:39:46 AM
Activity 4.4 uses both individual written reflection and discussion in small and large groups to explore the which aspects of a person's identity we use to determine if they should be included in the conversation on a particular issue. This activity also give participants to practice explaining and negotiating who is chosen.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:33:37 AM
Activity 4.3 uses physical movement and both lighthearted and serious topics to help participants see how positions on different topics lie on a continuum and how positions can change as one is exposed to new information or perspectives. Participants also flex their imaginative and creative muscle by arguing for the position opposite to theirs.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:28:28 AM
Activity 4.2 breaks down the individual aspects of active listening into separate rounds/steps to help participants consciously and methodically learn and practice this skill.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:25:28 AM
Activity 4.1digs deep into the many facets of social identity, by using drawing, as well as both written silent reflection and verbal discussion in small and large groups.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:26:51 AM
Activity 3.8 easily helps visualize the many dimensions of a topic by using the fishbone diagram.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:24:44 AM
Activity 3.7 provides useful mind tricks to help practice patience and giving people the benefit of the doubt, thus creating the sense of psychological safety required in collaborative efforts.