Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone else had tried out the ‘focused conversation’ technique that Derek Lane presented at the TBL conference (in his session about increasing discussion in TBL).  In case you weren’t there (and have no idea what I’m talking about), the technique involves creating a series of questions… objective, reflective, interpretative, and decisional… around which a discussion ensues.  I’ve included one of my ‘scripts’ for a focused conversation below.  Anyway, I’ve been trying the technique out in my classes this fall and I’d like to hear from anyone else who has as well.  Karla    

 

Focused Conversation on Personality/ Depression Chapter

Rational Objective:  Have the students think critically about the psychological effects of exercise and how they can help us understand and work with exercisers…

Experiential Aim:  Create a positive open climate

Objective

What did you learn about the psychological effects of exercise?

Which aspects of the chapters were familiar to you?

Which aspects of the chapters were new to you?

Reflective

Which of the various research findings described did you find the most surprising?

Which of the various research findings described did you find the least surprising?

Which aspect of the chapters was the most confusing?

What are you curious to learn more about?

Interpretative

What does this information about the psychological effects of exercise mean to you now?

What might this information about the psychological effects of exercise mean to you in the future?

Decisional

How will you use what you know about psychological effects of exercise?

 

Karla

 

 

Members of the Team-Based Learning Listserv:

As manager for the TBL list, I get information periodically when people join.  It occurred to me that people on the list might be curious as to how many people are currently members of this list.  

When I checked today, the total was 133.  
        Most are in the US but there are several members whose email addresses indicate they are in the UK, Canada, or Peru. 

Hence when you share questions or reports on your experience using TBL, know that it is going to a good number of people.

Dee

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
L. Dee Fink, Independent Consultant             Phone: 405-364-6464
        in Higher Education                     Email: [log in to unmask]
234 Foreman Ave                         FAX:  405-364-6464
Norman, OK 73069                                Website: www.ou.edu/idp/dfink.htm

**Author of: Creating Significant Learning Experiences (Jossey-Bass, 2003)
**Immediate Past President of the POD Network [Professional and Organizational Development] in Higher Education
**Founding director (now retired), Instructional Development Program, University of Oklahoma (1979-2005)