{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

This assignment will allow you to demonstrate your communication skills within the context of discussing an issue and reaching a consensus within a group.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"d720565f-defc-4c79-867d-5ddc8f58477e","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Purpose"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

In addition, doing this task will help you meet the following course requirements:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

Program Learning Outcomes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

Develop an awareness of self and society in an intercultural setting;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
Express information and ideas in a variety of forms; <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
Employ effective English communication skills to function independently in an English language environment;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
Utilize critical thinking processes and problem solving techniques in academic and professional situations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
Essential Employability Skills Outcomes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
- Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
- Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
- Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
- Apply a systematic approach to solve problems<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
  Course Learning Outcomes (CLO):<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
  \n\t\t\t\t
  Deliver presentations for academic and professional contexts;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
  Synthesize ideas from discussions, visual materials, and lectures;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t
  \n\t\t\t\t
  Practice speaking using appropriate intonation, rhythm, and timing. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
  Debate academic topics <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
  Course Content:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
  \n\t\t\t\t
  Presentation skills<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
  Topic analysis<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
  Intonation, rhythm, and timing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t
  Debate elements<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t
  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"91f428a6-6ba5-48a1-abdc-9662bbf7feb5","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Outcomes Achieved"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
  You will be part of a small group of students who will each make recommendations for solutions to a specific problem, with the goal of reaching a consensus. Based on a detailed scenario, you will make a short presentation with your own recommendations, and then discuss each other\u2019s points of view and work toward a consensus of opinion.<\/p>\n\n
  You will prepare your own presentation in advance, but you will not know which students you will be grouped with until you arrive for the discussion. Be sure to have a copy of the scenario details and blank paper (for additional notes) with you at the time of the evaluation.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"6debf9f0-cfe9-49cb-a19e-c6efac00b759","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Task"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
  You are an advisor to the people who run a small city (the city council). The city, which is about \u00bd the size of Barrie, is surrounded by rural land and forest, and the city council is also responsible for these lands. An old man who owned a huge mansion and lots of land at the edge of town has recently died. He left his house and property to the city, to use as they wish. The man\u2019s property is approximately equal in size to Georgian College\u2019s Barrie campus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
  Problem:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\n
  <\/p>\n\n
  The city council must decide how to use the property and many of the people who live in and near the city have given their opinions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
  <\/p>\n\n
  You, as well as a number of other advisors, have been asked to help with the problem. You must consider the problem on your own and determine your own views and recommendations. Then, you will meet with 2-3 other \u2018advisors\u2019 to try to come to a consensus on what to recommend to the city council. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2851eb2d-34b8-4a28-a0e2-5e891db66de2","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Situation and Problem"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
  City Council:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  The council wants to do what\u2019s best for the city, but they also want to be elected again (the next election is in 4 months). They are worried that if they make the wrong decision, too many people in the city will be upset and they will lose their places on the city council. They want a solution that will help the city, but that will also please the most people.<\/p>\n\n
  Other Interest Groups:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  There are four main interest groups that have conflicting opinions about what to do with the property.<\/p>\n\n
  The opinions and positions of the 4 main interest groups are:<\/p>\n\n
  Environmentalists:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  This group is concerned about the environment locally, as well as environmental issues that affect the world. They know that the property is mostly covered with trees, and these trees not only provide the earth with oxygen, but they are also home to a large variety of local wildlife; some of it rare. The environmentalists want the city council to turn the property into a nature preserve and to use the mansion as a nature centre where people can come to learn about wildlife, the environment, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  Housing Advocates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  The city is growing very quickly and there aren\u2019t enough places for people to live. The housing advocates want the city council to turn the mansion into apartments and to develop the rest of the land with a variety of housing options: apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. They would like some of the trees preserved, perhaps for one or two small parks, but they feel that the majority of the land should be housing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  Historical Society:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  The historical society is a group of people who want to preserve the history of the area. They know that the property has been in the same family for generations and that the mansion was built in 1872. They want the city council to designate the mansion as an historical landmark and to turn it into a museum. They also want to turn the land into a \u2018living museum.\u2019 This means they will use the land to build a replica of a pioneer community with cabins, animals, small fields, etc. Some of the trees will be left, but in pioneer times, the settlers cleared the land to make room for their fields, animals, and cabins (constructed with the trees they cut down), and the historical society wants the site to be realistic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  Community Development Advocates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  This is a group of citizens who want the city to grow and develop more. They believe that the people who live in the city don\u2019t have enough choice for shopping or job opportunities, and they want to have \u2018big box\u2019 stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Costco, since none of these stores exist in the city right now. They want the city council to clear the land and attract these big box stores.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"cc9345ef-9604-401c-99ac-ee39752e8800","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Interest Groups"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
  \n\t
  Presentation to Other Advisors:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
  You will be meeting with the other \u2018advisors\u2019 at your scheduled time to try to come to a consensus on what to recommend to the city council.<\/p>\n\n
  To start, you will each make a formal presentation to the rest of the group to express your own opinions and recommendations.<\/p>\n\n
  To prepare for your presentation:<\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  Consider the different views (below) of the city council and the various groups who have opinions about how the property should be used. Think about:\n\t
  \n\t\t
  What are the important factors that must be considered?<\/li>\n\t\t
  What are the positives (pros) and negatives (cons) of each plan?<\/li>\n\t\t
  What will be the impact of each option?<\/li>\n\t\t
  What else is important to think about?<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  You do not need to answer these questions directly; form your own opinion and decide on a recommendation about what to do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  <\/p>\n\n
  Your presentation must include your views about:<\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  The most important factors that must be considered.<\/li>\n\t
  The positives and negatives for each plan (in your opinion).<\/li>\n\t
  Your recommendation for a plan of action.<\/li>\n\t
  The reasons for your recommendation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  You have up to 2 minutes to make your presentation. You may have notes to help you with your presentation, but you are expected to be familiar with the material so that you are not reading from your notes.<\/p>\n\n
  You may not use any supporting materials such as power points, pictures, etc. While a student is speaking, other members of the group may take notes to assist them in the group discussion portion of the evaluation. <\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  Discussion and Consensus<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
  After each \u2018advisor\u2019 has made a presentation, the group will examine and discuss the various points of view. Your goal is to understand the other points of view and to also make your own ideas clear. If someone has an opposing idea, your goal is to convince that person that your idea is better, and why this is the case and\/or to explore the new idea and form an opinion about it.<\/p>\n\n
  Your group must attempt to come to a consensus, so you can make one final group recommendation to the city council. After the individual presentations, your group will have the remaining time for this part of the discussion. You do not have to have a final consensus by the end of the allowed time, but you must be making progress.<\/p>\n\n
  Throughout your presentation and discussion, you will be expected to demonstrate these skills:<\/p>\n\n
  \n\t
  Presentation and Conversation\/Discussion Skills:<\/li>\n\t
  Strong opening, closing and well\u2013developed ideas<\/li>\n\t
  Professional body language, including facial expressions and gestures<\/li>\n\t
  Language structures for expressing:\n\t
  \n\t\t
  Opinions, reasons and defending your ideas<\/li>\n\t\t
  Clarification<\/li>\n\t\t
  Agreement\/Disagreement<\/li>\n\t\t
  Interrupting<\/li>\n\t\t
  Giving advice<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  Appropriate intonation and rhythm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"ef79f796-e3f7-40c6-a17f-8fc402e5720b","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Discussion Format and Expectations"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
  This evaluation is worth 15% of your final mark. You will be marked individually only, and you will be graded using the rubric below. You do not need to hand anything in.<\/p>\n\n
  Discussions will take place during class time on Wednesday, November 17\/21 and each group will meet for approximately 30 minutes. Please join the class at your appointed discussion time (either 1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.), and then re-join the class at 2:00 p.m. to continue our regular class.<\/p>\n\n
  Your discussion will be recorded so the teacher can listen again while marking. It will then be erased.<\/p>\n\n
  To see the evaluation rubric, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2a7ab52f-b6d1-475b-8317-7144dff739e6","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Evaluation and Rubric"}],"hTag":"h2"}

Small Group Discussion-City Council Decision

Donna Naylor