Tag Archives: reasoning skills
Dealing With Difference
Difference is a fundamental fact of human life. There is similarity too. But difference is the reason why we need to have discussions about public policy. It is also the reason why they should occur face-to-face, over extended periods of time, and with the assistance of a skilled but neutral facilitator. If we all agreed Read more »
Posted in Perspectives Also tagged attitude, conversations, governance, personal development Leave a comment
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Student-Centered Discussion: Providing Structured Space for Critical Thinking
When many faculty hear the term “student-centered discussion,” they imagine students leading a “discussion” that is really just a bull session. In fact, this is typically the sort of discussion that happens when faculty allocate small-group discussion time in their classes. Faculty will provide students with one or more questions to discuss, and students will Read more »
Posted in Education, Perspectives Also tagged Classroom Discussions, developing questions, educational implications, higher education, student-centered discussion Leave a comment
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Exploration, Development, and Debate
One of the primary tasks of an IF facilitator is to ensure that his panels’ discussions keep to the task of exploring and developing possibilities, and do not degenerate into debates. But isn’t debating the validity and utility of ideas a way of exploring their differences? Doesn’t it help us to recognize the weaknesses of Read more »
Why Spend Time in Public Discussion on “Concepts”?
A lot of people wonder why IF public discussions focus on conceptual possibilities. Instead of talking about abstract ideas, why not deal with something really practical? The short answer is that, from one perspective at least, nothing could be more practical than talking about concepts. Being practical means getting something done, yes. But solving immediate Read more »
Posted in Perspectives Also tagged citizen discussions, conceptual possibilities, Public Discussions Leave a comment
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Jobs and the Future of a College Education?
What is the future of a college education in the USA? The recent economic downturn seems to have sharpened the already well-known trend toward seeing a college education largely in terms of enhancing one’s economic security. And as our uncertain economic times become ever more uncertain, it’s easy to understand students wanting to find a Read more »
Posted in Education Also tagged communication skills, creativity, discussion process, educational implications, higher education Leave a comment
False Dichotomies and the IF Discussion Process
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