BCC Syllabus

BCC Impromptu

BCC Informative

BCC Persuasive

BCC Interviewing

BCC Small Group

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of this assignment is two-fold.  First, it is designed to help you become more effective in group projects.  Secondly, it is designed to familiarize you with some of the different discussion formats.  In order to do so, as a group you may choose between either the panel forum discussion format or the symposium forum discussion format.  WARNING!!! Take this assignment very seriously.  Students have messed up their grade severely with this assignment.  It is worth 150 points.

 

For the panel forum discussion:

 

Choose a topic that is controversial and present an in-class discussion/informal debate on the topic.  This needs to be a topic that some within your group agree with and some do not.  You will need to choose a moderator and have participants make arguments for their position.  At the end, you do not have to make a decision, but the group does need to come to closure.

 

For the symposium forum discussion:

 

Create an urban legend.  It needs to be original and plausible.  You will need to research what an urban legend is, and discover its components.  You will also need to investigate the plausibility and originality of your urban legend.  After creating your urban legend, you will need to present it to the class through a symposium forum presentation. In this presentation, include an explanation of urban legends.

 

Ground Rules:

 

• All members of the group should be involved in the presentation.
• Select a topic/concept which fits the format you have decided upon.
• The length of the presentation should be from 15-20 minutes, excluding questions.
• You must use a powerpoint presentation within the format.
• The presentation should be educational, understandable, and appropriate for the audience.
• As a group you should use at least 10 different sources in preparing your presentation.  They should be written up in a bibliography to be given to me on the day of your presentation.  Each source citation needs to be cited verbally during the course of the presentation as it is used.
• In your presentation, you should remember to introduce the members of your group as well as introduce the topic to be discussed;.
• Video clips/music etc., should enhance the presentation, not replace it.  Recorded materials should not be longer than five minutes.
• Have an agenda or outline of the presentation to turn in on your presentation day.
• Prepare the room for your format (desks, seating arrangements etc.)

 

Grading:

 

Reflective Thinking Method Worksheet (20 points)

 

As a group, you need to follow the reflective thinking method throughout your small group meetings.  While there is one overarching problem that you are dealing with (preparing and presenting), there will be mini problems along the way (deciding on topic, format, areas to cover, etc.).  As a group, you need to turn in 2 worksheets which detail your following of this method.  This part of the assignment will be graded by your ability to demonstrate the reflective thinking methods.  Specificity is a good thing.  

 

Panel Forum Presentation (130 points)

 

Topic Selection - Is the topic appropriate for the format that you have chosen?  Is it a topic that is understandable, educational, and appropriate for this particular audience? (15 points)

Structure - Do you follow the format that you have selected naturally?  Do you discuss/debate the topic openly?  Does everyone participate equally?  Does the moderator moderate? Does your structure match your agenda?  Does the agenda make sense for the presentation? (20 points)

Content - Are you knowledgeable about the topic that you have chosen?  Are you able to give the audience new insight?  Are ideas completely cited?  Is there a bibliography turned in?    (50 points)

Delivery - Is the presentation energetic, interesting, and professionally presented? (30 points)

Questions - Are the questions answered in a polite, but firm manner?  Can you handle hostility if it arises?  (15 points)

 

Symposium Forum Presentation (130 points)

 

Topic Selection - Is the urban legend original and plausible?  Does it fit the requirements of an urban legend?  (15 points)

Structure - Do you follow the format that you have selected naturally?  Does everyone take part equally in the presentation? Does your structure match your agenda?  Does the agenda make sense for the presentation?(20 points)

Content - Are you knowledgeable about the urban legend that you have created?  Are you able to give the audience new insight into the concept of an urban legend?  Are ideas completely cited?  Is there a bibliography turned in?   (50 points)

Delivery - Is the presentation energetic,interesting, and professionally presented? (30 points)

Questions - Are the questions answered in a polite, but firm manner?  Can you handle hostility if it arises?  (15 points)

 

Guaranteed Point Deductions:

 

You will lose 5 points per source that is uncited.

You will lose 5 points for every minute over or under the specified time limit.

You will lose 5 points for every minute over 5 minutes of video/music.

 

BCCC Guidelines:

 

The small group assignment and exercise will constitute 20 percent of the final grade.

 

This basic group discussion should include reflective thinking with all of the steps of problem solving including:

• Research with interviewing
• A paper with documentation
• A presentation with PowerPoint or visuals
• Technology skills in researching and in the group process
• Group participation and interaction

 

Reflective Thinking Method Worksheet

 

Define the problem Phrase the problem in the form of a question Avoid wording that suggests a solution Avoid vagueness (be descriptive) You should have one central idea
Analyze the problem Research Discover The more you know about the cause(s) of the problem, the better the solution will be
Establish Criteria for Evaluating Solutions Standards or criteria for what will be an acceptable solution Things to ask: What must a proposed solution do? What must it avoid? What restrictions of time, money, and space must be considered?
Suggest possible solutions Brainstorming Come up with multiple solutions
Choose the best solution (Evaluate) It must satisfy the established criteria You must have the authority to put the solution into effect You must not create another problem If criteria are flawed, the solution will be flawed Use a grid to check (attach to the sheet)
Decide how to implement the solution Is your solution workable? How? If there are ties after evaluation, how does your group come to a decision?
Decide how to test the solution Do a follow-up test. Does the solution seem to be working?