| A card-based problem solving exercise
designed to improve the communicative process from both a team and an individual
perspective. The exercise involves a group of between 6-12 members in an information
sharing exercise where the information relates to a number of murder suspects
and the task is to find the murderer. The observers brief and post discussion
questionnaires assist the tutor in examining the communication process from its
widest angle. Questions such as ‘Do all the group members interpret the ‘facts’
in the same way?’ and ‘Why does one individual assume X?’ can be
addressed. The exercise will last between 45 and 90 minutes including discussion
time.
OBJECTIVE
The exercise will give individuals a deeper understanding of the communicative
process by:
- Increasing their understanding of the factors
that affect communication in a team;
- Showing how the quality of communication achieved
contributes to team efficiency;
- Assisting them in recognising and avoiding communication
failure;
- Suggesting ways that the number of communicative
errors can be reduced.
HOW IT WORKS
The exercise center's around a pack of 20 information-bearing cards. Two
of these cards contain background information to be made available to every group
member. The remaining cards are all different and are dealt out to the group in
a random fashion so that every group member has certain items of data (relating
to motive, opportunity, etc) which are known only to him/her. The task of the
group is to share the information provided and determine ‘Who killed Jonathon
Strangeways". The text on the cards is written so that a fact that may appear
to have little meaning on its own becomes highly significant when connected with
another item revealed by a different group member. It is, therefore, essential
that all members should declare what they know, and pay close attention to what
is revealed by others. Only in this way can the group develop a common understanding
about the suspects and find the killer.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DOING
As individuals, considering the information provided on the cards held. As group
members during the exercise, discussing how the information held by all the various
members can be used to solve the problem. As group members after the exercise,
sharing their experience of the communication process and how it worked.
FOR WHAT LEVELS IS IT APPROPRIATE?
All those seeking to understand how the communicative process works and how they
should contribute to it.
INCLUDED
Tutor manual; Problem cards; Observers brief and prompt sheet; Team member’s
questionnaire; and all supporting documentation.
COST
£165 plus Vat and delivery
|
