- 27 Nov 2016 20:49
#14742806
After the participants have been seated, I have every one fill out an anonymous 3X5 card. On the front of the card I have them write one question on the subject at hand that they would like to see answered in the session today. On the back I have them write what they believe was/is the most important point to be covered in the meeting. They pass these to the center.
I collect them and thumb through them briefly, nodding as I do so. Then I put them in my pocket.
OK. So you will get some dumb shit stuff on the cards and some reasonably good stuff. Doesn't matter what is there. You have already figured out what you want to cover. At this point they have a certain amount of buy-in because they believe they will be partially responsible for what is covered. That their opinions and questions matter.
By having them state what the most important point to be covered in the seminar/class (and I read some of these that fit my agenda up front) they are in a new place. They hear that the other students/participants believe the subject material is important (they just wrote down that they do after all) and what was previously the teachers agenda is not their own.
At the end of every class, without fail, I ask the following question and go around the room picking those to answer it. Not always those with their hands up. "What is the most important thing we covered today? I would expect a different answer from many of you." I listen, nod agreement or just thank them and move on. I never criticize their answers. So even if they are not called upon to answer, the last thing they hear before they leave is that the other students/participants believe that much of the subject matter is important. How cool is that?
Now back to the cards. After the class I read them. It is amazing what I learn that I can use in preparing future classes. In fact. If there is a break during the class or seminar, I read the cards then. I am able to make mid-course corrections/additions sometimes to make the class more relevant for my participants.
To believe in God is impossible not to believe in Him is absurd.
Voltaire
God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh.
Voltaire