Group Presentation Activity

Lecturer: Dr Mei Ying Boon

It is important to understand the context in which knowledge about optometry and vision

science is used. This activity will introduce you to major issues confronting the professional

practice of optometry and vision science.

You will form teams using a lecturer-inspired networking activity. You will then research a

topic and your ultimate aim is to present your findings and thoughts in an entertaining and

informative manner during your scheduled time slot during semester.

Once in your teams, you will decide whether as a group you would like to work together as a

group based on principles you have gained from understanding of your individual personality

types, learning styles and networks or applying Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

Toolkit. Whichever you decide, in your reflection you should explain how you tried to apply

this information to your behind-the-scenes management of your group presentation activity

and what seemed to work and what did not, and why.

Readings associated with this class include: Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats and

Personality Types, Learning Styles and Learning Networks.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of this activity, students:

Will gain insight into the major issues confronting the professional practice of optometry

and vision science.

Will develop working, and hopefully friendship, relationships with a group of vision

science students.

Will apply knowledge of interpersonal skills in a group-setting towards selection of a

group presentation topic, development of the presentation idea, research of the topic and

coordination and communication between group members.

Group Dynamics Homework Options

(A) Personality types, learning styles and my network, or

(B) De Bono’s 6 thinking hats

In Activity A, you will be exploring personality types, learning styles and your network.

Each member of your group presentation team should complete this homework and you

should make a time to all meet and compare your findings. This homework aims to assist you

in gaining an understanding of how you differ from some teammates but share commonalities

with others so you can see yourself in context. Related to that, you will learn about

characteristics of people whom you will deal with in clinical settings, such as clients/patients,

colleagues, and suppliers. You will come to realise that even the most annoying ones are not

just being jerks, they have particular perspectives and values based on their ‘personality type’,

experiences, and abilities. That is, you will see others in new ways, and you will recognise

how they might perceive you (scary thought, that). You should think about how you can use

this information to make the Group Presentation Activity be a success.

In Activity B, as part of a group, you will be trying a well-known method problem-solving

method and demonstrating that you have done this through dated meeting minutes that you

took yourself personally. Each team member should take the minutes for at least one meeting.

Hints on how to take minutes may be found online (e.g.

http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/communication/a/minutes.htm). As soon as you complete

this homework, submit this in your eLearning Portfolio and online through the submission

box.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of this workshop, students:

Homework Option A: Will gain insight into their own personality and how this may differ

from or be similar to their classmates; Will gain insight into their personality in context

with others in their network and the importance of developing learning networks.

Homework Option B: Will put a well-known group dynamics problem-solving strategy

into action and gain insights into its practice

Homework Option A: Personality Types, Learning Styles, & Your Network

Read the directions through completely first. Then, go for it. Bring this work with you to team meeting and submit it in your eLearning Portfolio and online through the submission box. 1. Go to www.keirsey.com/cgi-bin/newkts.cgi and take this personality test. There is a version of this test that is free, but you may need to hunt around the web site a little. 2. Record your type, comment on how accurate you think the characterisation is. What are your criteria for accuracy?

3. Find two other personality type tests on the web. For one of them, explain what appeals to you about it. Also, describe what you see as its main weakness.

4. Identify two ‘learning style’ tests on the web or in a book or magazine. Take the test that seems more insightful, and record your ‘type’.

5. Find a test on the web for the seven* intelligences of Howard Gardner, the Harvard educational psychologist (*or eight, as the list has grown). Take the test, and read the category descriptions. Identify your strongest intelligence, your second strongest, and your weakest.

6. Now, prepare to compare your types with those of others whom you know. Draw a network diagram depicting 20 individuals from your personal network. You can consult a social psychology or business textbook for examples of network diagrams. Indicate graphically –

how often you communicate with each person and how formal the interaction is, what you discuss, and which individuals interact with each other.

7. In your personal network, identify two individuals who seem to have personality types different from your own. Give a brief example of why each person fits that type. Explain briefly what you value about them.

8. Format your write up on 1-7 above as if it is a resume’. That is, present each item briefly as a feature of yourself as a potential business partner or employee.

Homework Option B:

De Bono’s Six Thinking HatsBecome familiar with De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats toolkit

Diagram from : http://www.debonoforschools.com/asp/six_hats.asp and

Read the book by Edward de Bono, Six Thinking Hats. Penguin, 2000

A related document will be uploaded in Moodle.