[PERSONALIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATION] Conversation Circles

Step One: Gathering Information (10 minutes)

not on Post-It Notes

1. The Time Keeper (administrator) will set the

time for eight (8) minutes.

2. The time keeper opens up the session with the question: What are the
challenges with / barriers to Personalized Learning?
3. The Group will sit in discussion and brainstorm their responses to the
question.
4. One person from each team will volunteer (or voluntold) to be the Problem
Presenter (should be someone with the gift of listening and summarizing).
5. The Problem Presenter will spend two (2) minutes reviewing the notes so
that he/she can report back to the team in step two.

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[PERSONALIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATION] Conversation Circles

Step Two Present the Problem (5 minutes) on

Post-It
1. The time keeper (administrator) will reset
the time for 6 minutes.

2. The Problem Presenter will have (five) 5 uninterrupted minutes to outline

the problem.

3. The Group listens.

Note:
The job of the Time Keeper (administrator) is to keep time and make sure
no one interrupts.

The Note Taker takes notes on the paper provided. The information
gathered will be recorded on paper provided by the Note Taker.
The note-taker has creative license as to how to take the notes on
the paper that will be provided.
Coloured markers, etc will be provided. At the end of the session,
the Note Taker is welcome to take the markers home

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[PERSONALIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATION] Conversation Circles

Step Three Brainstorm Solutions (ONE minute for each person)

1. The time keeper (administrator) will reset the time to allow
for one minute per person of uninterrupted time.
For example, if there are eight (8) people in the group then the time is
set for 8 minutes.
Before starting the time, the Time Keeper (administrator) briefly outline
what will happen in this step.
2. This is a brainstorm not a discussion or debate. Everyone is encouraged to
share their ideas about creative solutions to what they just heard for at least
one uninterrupted minute.
3. The brainstormed solutions will be gathered will be recorded on paper by
the Note Taker.
Note:
The time keeper (administrator) must make sure this is a brainstorm.
o Even if there is a pause during someones time speaking, it is essential
to give enough wait time for the person to finish (ONE uninterrupted
minute).
o It is not a time to give speeches, lectures or advice.
o It is not a time to clarify the problem or to ask questions.
o No solution ideas need reflection, analyses, or any type of response
from the group
o Everyone gets a chance to give their brilliant ideas.
o No one must be allowed to dominate.
o Everyone listens - without interrupting or providing personal
responses.
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[PERSONALIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATION] Conversation Circles

Step Four Positive Dialogue (5 minutes) on Post-It

1. The time keeper (administrator) will reset the time for

five (5) minutes.
a. Before starting the time, the Time Keeper (administrator) briefly
outline what will happen in this step.
This is the time to explore and clarify the problem.
Focus on the positive points only (NOT what can't be done).

2. Now the group can have a dialogue led by the Problem Presenter.
What CAN be done?
Which brainstormed solutions from step three are positive, doable
solutions for the problem?
Can the solutions be defined/described further?

3. The information gathered will be recorded on paper by the Note Taker.

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[PERSONALIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATION] Conversation Circles

Step Five Action Plan (12 minutes) on Post-It
1. The Time Keeper (administrator) will reset the time for 6 minutes.
a) The information gathered will be recorded on paper by the
Note Taker.
b) Led by the Time Keeper (administrator), the Group will choose one (1) positive,
do-able solution from those identified in step four.
c) The Group will create a concrete statement (i.e. a realistic goal) on how they will
arrive at their chosen solution.
2. Now the Time Keeper (administrator) will reset the time for 6 minutes.
a) The information gathered will be recorded on paper by the Note Taker.
b) The Group decides on the action plan (the little steps or baby steps; objectives)
that are doable within the next month.
c) At least ONE step should be initiated within the next week. This is critical.
Research shows that unless a first step is taken almost immediately, the plan of
action loses momentum.
d) It is essential that the actions/first steps have people assigned to them to ensure
accountability.
i. The Time Keeper (administrator) will ask for volunteers who will commit
to checking on the progress of the set out actions. Their names are
recorded.
ii. A review date should to be set to continue the action planning for the set
goals or to set new goals and actions.
3. Before the group returns to the gym, take a photograph of all four post-it
notes (side by side) and tweet it out with the hashtags: #cisva #shattersilos
You are welcome to add a caption to the photograph before
you tweet it out.
4. At the end of this session, the Note Taker brings the completed Post-It for
Step #5 to the gym and posts it on the gym wall by 1:55 pm.
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