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ABOUTorganizing and holding round tables
Hthat's a discussion?
Discussion is a method that allows you to explore certain topics through group discussion. Discussion is an effective method for organizing the exchange of opinions and ideas. The discussion allows you to: present and explore the personal experiences of the participants; find out everyone’s attitude to the topic under discussion; discuss how the results of the discussion can be applied in work; comprehensively explore real problems and their possible solutions; discuss the possible consequences of certain actions; learn something useful from other people's experiences; consider the problem from different angles; find a way to reach consensus in the future.
TOHow to prepare and conduct a discussion?
The process of organizing and conducting a discussion requires knowledge and skills in the following areas: planning and preparation, instructing, directing and controlling, summarizing and, where necessary, obtaining feedback.
When planning and preparing a discussion, you must:
· determine the topic of the discussion and its participants;
· accurately define the boundaries and parameters of the discussion (main blocks of discussion, rules for participants, rules of discussion);
· build the main line of discussion on certain issues related to the topic of discussion, in a certain order;
Decide how to start the discussion process (with a provocative speech or question, a short exercise, a reference to a previous exercise or topics already raised);
Identify a few additional questions or interventions that are needed if the discussion begins to lose momentum or go in an undesirable direction, and with which the group can be focused on the next aspect of the discussion topic;
· determine the time required for each block of discussion;
· determine what kind of room is needed and think about how to accommodate participants in it;
· decide what your role will be in the discussion process, and whether you will participate in the discussion of the topic (as a rule, the moderator is neutral in relation to all statements of the discussion participants and only monitors the process of its implementation);
· identify possible clashes of opinions and views of participants (opposite points of view, the practice of discussing in “raised tones”), and think through their actions in this situation (which of the participants has the most harsh and extreme views; what they can say; what words and actions they can express their views; how you can resist them; how you can use the group to prevent and prevent a “scandal” from developing; what you will say in this case).
Briefing participants
To conduct instructions, it is necessary that all participants in the discussion are ready to listen to you and have already taken their places.
· Introduce the topic of discussion, announce its program and regulations.
· Explain your role and how actively you will participate in the discussion and monitor its progress.
· If you intend to summarize participants' presentations and write down the main conclusions on paper, warn participants about this.
· Start a discussion.
Management and control
1. Once you have started, allow participants to gather their thoughts. Resist the temptation to immediately break the silence in the group if there is one at first. By abruptly interfering, you risk turning the discussion into the “your questions - their answers” mode and thereby killing the discussion (exchange of opinions).
2. During a group discussion, make sure that those wishing to speak can take turns getting the floor. Follow the regulations. Listen carefully to the speakers, summarize, summarize and write down (if this was agreed upon at the beginning).
3. Follow the group discussion process. There are situations when your intervention is necessary.
Summarizing (generalization)
Summarizing is a purposeful activity used by the facilitator to bring together the main points made by one or more people during a discussion. The purpose of summarizing what has been said is to:
· combine important data, thoughts, ideas in one statement;
· develop a basis for further discussion or move on to another topic;
· evaluate success;
· check whether the interlocutors agree with each other and whether everyone understands what was said.
Summarized, summarized information allows all participants in the discussion to understand what happened at this stage of the discussion. When you need to summarize or summarize what has been said, you can start with the following phrases: “I think several important ideas were expressed here ...”, “If I understand correctly, you mean ...”, “I think we have achieved agreements. We agreed that we...", etc.
Preparation and holding of the round table
Round table - traditional business discussion. The round table, for all its democracy, contains elements of organization and assumes the following principles:
· there are no clearly defined positions, but only participants in the discussion of a controversial issue.
· all positions are equal, and no one has the right to be superior to others.
· the purpose of the round table is to identify ideas and opinions regarding the problem or controversial situation being discussed.
Based on agreements, the round table produces results that are new agreements.
General rules for discussion:
1. There is no discussion without a key question.
2. The round table involves a key issue in the form of an agenda.
3. The key issue must be previously agreed upon with all interested participants in the discussion.
4. The nature of the round table discussion - the speech is an expression of one’s own opinion;
5. Criticism is practically unacceptable here, since everyone has the right to express their point of view. Ideas are criticized, not individuals; criticism should be constructive, not destructive, loyal, and not personal.
Round table - voicing problems and finding out the opinions of various parties involved in their solution. If conducted unprofessionally, this event often leads to a “bazaar” and aggravation of existing contradictions. Therefore, holding a round table requires skills and techniques for organizing the discussion process.
Selection of participants Posted on Allbest.ru
It is very important. Much depends on the purpose of the round table and the severity of the problem that is being discussed. Of course, the participants in the discussion should, first of all, be representatives of the “involved” parties. These are people and organizations that are (or should be, but are not) engaged in solving the problems under discussion. For the discussion to be effective, it is necessary to gather the maximum possible number of representatives of different points of view, to unite all parties involved, representatives of the public, administration, business, etc. Each group has its own rules:
· If you are invited to the round table government representative, then you should not promise the other participants that he will come. Firstly, he may not come. Secondly, those who are interested in this person, and not in the discussion, will come. The focus of the round table may be shifted.
· If invited business representative, then it is necessary to provide for a situation with possible importunity of participants with requests for financing of certain types of activities. At other times, company representatives may refuse to take part in the discussion because of this.
· Concerning mass media First of all, you need to decide whether to invite them or not. If the discussion is held in order to voice all the problems, try to understand each other and discuss solutions, then perhaps it is better not to invite the media. This kind of round table requires an atmosphere of freedom and openness, and the press always “fetters” people; not everything can be said in the presence of the media, knowing that it can be voiced on television or in the press. As a rule, the media are invited in order to convey the fact of the discussion or its results to certain organizations and/or the population. Another point that matters is - are you inviting the media to cover the event, or to participate in the discussion? This needs to be indicated in the invitation, otherwise the journalist will come for half an hour, collect the necessary information for a story or article and leave.
There should be no random people at the round table. When inviting participants, you need to proceed from certain criteria: the participant is related to this problem; he has something to say (possession of information, figures, facts, etc.); he is ready to solve the problem constructively. Since a round table is an event that is always limited in time, unnecessary people, unconstructive, “empty” conversations will “eat up” time.
Preparatory stage:
· Defining the topic and purpose of the round table
· Selection of participants
· Planning the content of the event
· Planning organizational issues and technical aspects of the event
Development of the content of the round table includes determining the name
(which will appear in all documents, press releases, etc.), goals (will also be declared everywhere), list of participants, the need to invite the media and experts. The content part determines the parameters of the discussion: what aspects will be discussed (logic of topic development), then the main information blocks are built on this. The next step is to determine the rules for organizing the discussion process: who will be given the floor and in what order, the schedule of speeches, how questions will be asked - a block of questions and answers can be placed after each information block, or after each speech, who will be asked questions - the speaker or a friend friend/all discussion participants. At the stage of preparing the round table, you need to pay attention to the beginning of each information block - where each new block begins - with a speech, a short message on a given topic, an example, or a provocative question (seed).
The role of the presenter Posted on Allbest.ru
To have a productive discussion, it is important to choose the right facilitator and clearly outline his spheres of influence. The facilitator's job is to help participants discuss the problem effectively and constructively. If the presenter has a good command of the topic and useful information for discussion, then he/she can also act as an expert. The role of the facilitator should be defined at the preparation stage and announced to those present at the very beginning of the discussion.
During the round table, the presenter must strictly adhere to his role, in no case use his position to speak himself or give the floor to the same people, and in general, there should be “as few presenters as possible.” His behavior in general can be described as neutral, tactful, unobtrusive. The presenter must constantly monitor the rules, sum up the interim results of the discussion, find out, summarize, ask leading or provocative questions if the discussion is fading, and also transfer the flaring emotional discussion into a constructive direction.
The main stage is conducting a round table
Where does the round table begin?
1. The presenter names the topic, purpose, rules of discussion, rules of speech. You can specify issues that will not be discussed during this event.
2. Then the presenter introduces the participants or invites them to introduce themselves (this is beneficial if the presenter is an outsider and does not know the people who are taking part in the event, as well as if the participants have complex names, surnames or names of organizations).
3. Next, the presenter names the first block of discussion. As a rule, after this there is silence, it is necessary to give people a little time. If discussion still does not occur, then you can ask several additional (pre-prepared questions).
When and how to intervene in a discussion
The facilitator should intervene in the discussion in order to:
· stimulate discussion of an issue that seems important to you (for example, “And everyone agrees with this?”);
· “protect” part of the group that is being aggressively “attacked” by another. In this case, it is not at all necessary that the presenter speaks “for” or “against” one of them. It’s just worth remembering in this situation that the round table participants have different points of view, and everyone has the right to this. The purpose of the round table is to exchange opinions, and not to bring them “to one denominator”;
· include in the discussion people who would like to speak, but cannot do so due to non-compliance with the procedure by other participants;
· to respond to comments based on speculation rather than facts (“Can you back this up with facts?”) In this case, the presenter can provide reliable information (if he has it);
· find out the opinion of other participants on a question or argument (“Does everyone share this point of view?”);
· express your own opinion (but do not abuse your position); Posted on Allbest.ru
· “provoke” a discussion from a different point of view (“And if you look at the problem...”);
· ask additional questions in order to expand / deepen / change the topic under discussion;
· stimulate discussion (“How do you feel about this?” “Do you all agree with this?”)
· remind participants of facts that they have not yet taken into account in the discussion.
If one of the issues discussed is fundamentally important for the participants and requires more time than originally planned, then the round table program can be changed, but subject to the agreement of all participants.
Methods" interventions" into discussion
There are six basic methods of intervening in discussion, the use of which depends on the specific situation.
1. Controlling. The facilitator determines the course of the discussion and the time required for a particular issue. For example, “Now, let’s continue the discussion...”. “With this, we can conclude the discussion of this issue...”
2. Informational. The facilitator presents information that may be useful in discussing the issue. The information can be not only statistics, but also theory, trends, and practical examples.
3. Confrontational. The presenter “breaks” stereotypes, traditional opinions, attitudes, etc.
This intervention should not appear aggressive. To do this, you should start with the words “Why not...?”. You need to be prepared for a defensive reaction from the audience, since in this case certain values, views, and beliefs of specific people are affected.
4. Overwhelming. If emotions have accumulated during the discussion, then you need to remove them. The deeper the emotions, the more difficult it is to cope with them. If the facilitator has no experience in managing these types of situations, it is better to do nothing.
5. Catalytic. It is used to summarize what has been said, analyze opinions, summarize, etc.
6. Supportive. The presenter makes it clear to the discussion participants in every possible way that their opinion is interesting, has value for those present, and deserves attention. The danger in using this method is that the presenter may either appear insincere to the participants, or may end up in the position of someone who knows the “right answer.”
Generalization/ midterm summary
Debriefing is especially useful because it provides an opportunity to check the degree of agreement among group members. If participants do not agree with each other, it is better to reveal this during the discussion than later in the actual activity. If the agreement reached during the discussion is not a real agreement, then it is quite possible that it will not be carried out in life after the end of the discussion.
Generalizations should be made periodically at certain intervals (they can be timed to different information blocks of the round table), especially if the discussion is designed for a long time or includes different aspects of the topic. When generalizing, you need to speak in the words that the participants used, and only what you heard, without adding anything new from yourself. It is important to make sure that the group agrees on the main points you have listed. It is not necessary to seek agreement of all participants on the issues discussed. The purpose of the round table is to exchange opinions and, when generalizing / summing up, it is better to identify / state the views and points of view that the group has. Even if new questions or topics arise during the discussion, you should not deviate from the program. Be sure to leave enough time to complete the round table and summarize its results. If the round table is difficult to complete, the participants strive to continue the discussion, then this is a good indicator of the success of the event.
Problems that may arise during a round table and options for solving them
1. Too many negative opinions are expressed during the discussion.
This often happens when discussing an issue that seriously affects the interests of the participants in the discussion. When such a situation arises, the facilitator must be aware that his/her power is limited and does not include changing the point of view or beliefs of the people who are participating in the discussion. The presenter should only state facts and opinions, while remaining as objective as possible. He/she can also take part in the discussion and express his/her opinion or suggest a solution to the problem, but under no circumstances should he/she argue with the participants or try to convince them otherwise. It is best to allow all participants to express their opinions. Even if the discussion threatens to become heated. This will help to "let off steam."
2. There is an obvious lack of knowledge/experience in the area being discussed by most of the roundtable participants.
If such a problem arises, then the discussion cannot be constructive; the participants will easily agree with the first proposed point of view, since there are no others and, in order to argue, you need to know the subject. In this situation, you can interrupt the discussion and have a short session (present information on the topic, experiences or facts) and then continue the discussion.
3. Too emotional discussion of the problem.
The most important thing is to prevent such a situation. And for this you need to follow the regulations.
Delaying blocks and performances leads to fatigue and irritation. The optimal time for speaking is 3-5 minutes. The presenter has a maximum of 2 minutes for comments and remarks. Strict adherence to the regulations “keeps” the participants within limits, and changing information blocks and, accordingly, aspects and the need to adhere to them also prevents emotions from accumulating. During a round table, the moderator must ensure that the discussion is not monopolized and that each participant has the right to speak.
4. Not everyone present takes part in the discussion.
The presenter must carefully monitor the behavior and reactions of the participants, not allow individual participants to monopolize the discussion (“Thank you, we understand your position, now let’s listen to others...”), give others the opportunity to speak out (this can be planned in advance, knowing the composition of the participants and contacting people during the discussion (There is a representative among us..., I think he has something to say on this issue" or: "We know that the solution to this problem also depends on... I would like to listen to the opinion of...).
Tips for the presenter:
· Throughout the entire discussion process, the facilitator must constantly maintain control over the content, the process of discussion, and his or her behavior.
· The main job of the roundtable facilitator is to ensure that participants stay on topic, clarify unclear questions and statements, and ensure that all participants have the opportunity to speak.
· It is important that all participants in the discussion understand what is being discussed. As a rule, people from different areas of life, with different professional and life experiences take part in the discussion. The presenter’s task is to ensure that statements and examples are clear, if terminology is used, then it is familiar to everyone, etc.
· The behavior of the presenter himself is important. Most often, it is this that “sets the tone” for the discussion.
· In addition to the actual discussion process, the presenter must control the behavior and mood of the audience.
o If participants begin to fidget, whisper, leaf through papers, etc. - these are signs that they are not interested.
o If there is silence, then you need to understand what it means - thinking, bewilderment, or people are simply tired and do not want to speak out.
o When participants look at the presenter, this means that they are interested and good contact has been established. If not, you need to do something urgently.
o How do participants look at each other when engaging in dialogue? If they do not look away, this is an indicator of good contact and a normal environment.
o Postures of interested people - leaning forward a little towards the interlocutor or presenter. Everyone knows the postures and facial expressions of irritated or uninterested people.
Technical side of the round table
The room should be light and spacious (in a stuffy room people get tired faster, and this is one of the reasons for negative emotions). There are two options for seating people: in a circle (less formal), in the form of a closed or open square. There should be water on the tables. In front of each participant there are signs indicating their names, positions and organizations that they represent. Each participant should be given the round table program and materials to be used during the discussion. The media should receive press packages. If possible, discussion participants are provided with pens and notepads. Sometimes the results of the discussion are recorded by the organizers using a voice recorder. This allows you to include quotes in a press release or final document based on the results of the roundtable.
Completion of the round table
After summing up the results, often the round table participants draw up and adopt a collective document - a resolution, decision or appeal. Organizers can prepare a document in advance that outlines the problem, describes the event, its participants and
etc. During the round table, all the results of the interim discussion are recorded and entered into this document and, upon completion of the event, it is collectively adopted. At the end of the round table, the organizers should personally thank all participants in the discussion.
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Round tables- This is one of the most popular formats for conducting scientific events. In essence, the Round Table is a platform for discussion of a limited number of people (usually no more than 25 people; by default, experts, respected specialists in a particular field).
But you should not use the concept of “round table” as a synonym for the concepts of “discussion”, “polemic”, “dialogue”. It is not right. Each of them has its own content, and it only partially coincides with the content of the others. A “round table” is a form of organizing an exchange of opinions. This term does not indicate what the nature of the exchange of opinions will be. In contrast, the concept of “discussion” assumes that during, for example, a “round table” its participants not only make reports on some issue, but also exchange remarks, clarify each other’s positions, etc. Within the framework of the discussion, free exchange of opinions (open discussion of professional problems). “Policy” is a special type of discussion, during which some participants try to refute and “destroy” their opponents. “Dialogue,” in turn, is a type of speech characterized by situationality (depending on the situation of the conversation), contextuality (depending on previous statements), a low degree of organization, involuntary and unplanned nature.
The peculiarity of round tables is their unpredictability, not real, since it is obvious that any organizer will want to control what is happening as much as possible, but theoretical. It is this point that makes Round Tables an attractive format for the audience. It should be noted that any discussion events (for example, debates) are at the same time a relatively risky decision and, at the same time, provide the organizer with a significant advantage - the opportunity to show their creativity.
The purpose of the round table is to reveal a wide range of opinions on the issue chosen for discussion from different points of view, discuss unclear and controversial issues related to this issue, and reach consensus.
The task of the round table is to mobilize and activate participants to solve specific current problems, therefore the round table has specific features:
1. Personalization of information (participants during a discussion express not a general, but a personal point of view. It may arise spontaneously and not be fully formulated. Such information must be treated especially thoughtfully, choosing grains of what is valuable and realistic, comparing them with the opinions of other participants (discussants)).
2. The polyphony of the “round table” (during the “round table” there can be business noise, polyphony, which corresponds to the atmosphere of emotional interest and intellectual creativity. But this is precisely what makes the work of the presenter (moderator) and participants difficult. Among this polyphony, the presenter needs to “catch on “The main thing is to give everyone the opportunity to speak and continue to support this background, since it is precisely this that is the feature of the “round table”).
Organizational features of round tables:
relative cheapness of holding compared to other “open” event formats;
lack of a rigid structure and regulations. That is, the organizer has practically no tools for direct influence on the program (you cannot force guests to say what the organizers want), but only indirect ones. For example, you can divide the entire discussion into several semantic blocks, thereby formalizing the structure of the event, but everything that happens within these blocks depends entirely on the host of the Round Table; significant restrictions in terms of the number of visitors; intimate event.
Moderation (conducting).
A key element of any Round Table is moderation. The term "moderation" comes from the Italian "moderare" and means "mitigation", "restraint", "moderation", "restraint". The moderator is the leader of the discussion. In the Vatican, the moderator was the person who pointed out the most significant points in the speeches of the pope. In its modern meaning, moderation is understood as a technique for organizing communication, thanks to which group work becomes more focused and structured.
It is not an exaggeration to say that almost everything depends on the host (moderator) of the Round Table. His task is not just to announce the list of participants, outline the main topics of the event and launch the Round Table, but to hold in his hands everything that happens from beginning to end. Therefore, the requirements for the professional qualities of Round Table leaders are high.
The presenter must be able to clearly formulate the problem, not let the thought spread out, highlight the main idea of the previous speaker and, with a smooth logical transition, give the floor to the next one, follow the rules. Ideally, the Round Table leader should be impartial.
Do not forget that the moderator is also an actual participant in the Round Table. Therefore, he must not only direct the discussion, but also partially take part in it, focus the attention of those present on the information that is required, or, conversely, try to move the conversation in a new direction as quickly as possible. It should be remembered that the presenter must have the minimum required knowledge on the stated topic.
The presenter of the Round Table should not be:
Confused and intimidated. Such qualities are typical for novice presenters and are associated with anxiety and lack of practice.
Authoritarian. The desire to control and regulate the course of discussion to the maximum extent, to maintain strict discipline, is not conducive to discussion. Conniving. The facilitator must focus the discussion on the issues being discussed and concentrate it in time. Connivance on his part will contribute to the activation of alternative leaders who will try to shift attention to themselves. The discussion will begin to move away from the topic and break up into local discussions. Too active. The task of extracting information requires limiting the activity of the leader.
Poor listeners. The facilitator's lack of listening skills will result in a lot of useful information being lost from what was said during the discussion. In this case, the more subtle comments received as a result of public discussion, which represent the basis for deepening the discussion, will remain unheeded. The reasons for this behavior may be the desire of the Round Table leader to strictly follow the discussion questionnaire, as a result of which he concentrates his attention on it. Or a concern about effectively listening to everyone in the group without leaving anyone out and giving everyone equal time.
Comedian. Involves focusing on the entertainment aspect of the discussion more than on its content.
Exhibitionist. Such a leader uses the group mainly for self-affirmation purposes and puts personal goals above research goals. Narcissism can be expressed in pretentious poses, unnatural gestures and intonations, moralizing and other forms of “working for the public.”
Rules for round table participants:
the participant must be an expert on the topic being discussed;
You should not agree to participate in the Round Table just for the sake of the very fact of participation: if you have nothing to say, then it is better to remain silent.
Stages of preparing round tables:
Selecting a topic. It is carried out with a focus on the areas of scientific work of the department and teachers. Departments propose topics for “Round Tables” with justification for the need for its discussion and development. In this case, the general rule should be taken into account: the more specifically the topic is formulated, the better. In addition, the topic should be of interest to the audience.
Selection of presenter (moderator) and his preparation. The moderator must have such qualities as communication skills, artistry, and intelligence. Personal charm and a sense of tact are also important. The competence of the presenter plays a special role for the Round Table, therefore the moderator is obliged to independently carry out preparations within the framework of the given topic of the Round Table.
Selection of participants and identification of Round Table experts. The essence of any Round Table is to attempt a brainstorming session on a specific issue and find answers to some important questions. To do this, it is necessary to gather in one place people who have the necessary knowledge on the issue that requires coverage. These people are called experts or specialists. The initiator needs to identify potential experts who could give qualified answers to questions that arise as part of the discussion of the stated topic of the Round Table. If the scale of the event extends beyond the boundaries of the university, it is advisable at the preliminary stage of preparation of the Round Table to send out information letters and invitations to participate in this event to the intended participants. It should be remembered that the formation of a group of participants requires a differentiated approach: these should be not only competent, creatively thinking people, but also officials, representatives of the executive branch, on whom decision-making depends.
Preparing a questionnaire for the Round Table participants - the purpose of the questionnaire is to quickly and without a lot of time and money to get an objective idea of the opinion of the Round Table participants on the issues discussed. The survey can be continuous (in which all participants of the Round Table are surveyed) or selective (in which part of the Round Table participants are surveyed). When compiling a questionnaire, it is necessary to determine the main task-problem, break it down into components, and assume on the basis of what information it will be possible to draw certain conclusions. Questions can be open, closed, semi-closed. Their wording should be short, clear in meaning, simple, precise, and unambiguous. You need to start with relatively simple questions, then offer more complex ones. It is advisable to group questions according to meaning. Before the questions, there is usually a message to the survey participants and instructions for filling out the questionnaire. At the end, the participants should be thanked.
Preparation of a preliminary resolution of the Round Table. The draft final document should include a statement part, which lists the problems that were discussed by the participants of the Round Table. The resolution may contain specific recommendations to libraries, methodological centers, government bodies at various levels, developed during discussion or decisions that can be implemented through certain activities, indicating the deadlines for their implementation and those responsible.
Round table structure
The round table includes:
1. willingness of participants to discuss the problem in order to determine possible ways to solve it.
2. presence of a certain position, theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
It is possible to organize such a round table when the discussion is deliberately based on several points of view on the same issue, the discussion of which leads to positions and solutions acceptable to all participants.
Thus, the integral components of the round table:
1. unresolved issue;
2. equal participation of representatives of all interested parties;
3. development of solutions acceptable to all participants on the issue under discussion.
When holding a round table, in order to achieve a positive result and create a business atmosphere, it is necessary:
· Provide an optimal number of participants (if the circle of specialists is large, not one leader is needed, but two.
· Ensure the operation of technical means for audio and video recording.
· Establish a schedule for speeches.
· Ensure appropriate design of the audience (it is desirable that the “round table” is truly round and communications are carried out “face to face”, which promotes group communication and maximum involvement in the discussion.)
Methodology for organizing and conducting a round table
There are usually three stages in organizing and holding a round table: preparatory, discussion and final (post-discussion).
I Preparatory stage includes:
· choice of problem (the problem must be acute, relevant, and have various solutions). The problem chosen for discussion may be interdisciplinary in nature; it should be of practical interest to the audience from the point of view of developing professional competencies;
· selection of a moderator (the moderator leads the round table, so he must have a high level of mastery of the art of creating a trusting atmosphere and maintaining a discussion, as well as the method of increasing information);
· selection of discussants. The composition of the round table participants can be expanded by involving representatives of executive authorities, professional communities and other organizational structures;
· preparing a scenario (holding a round table according to a pre-planned scenario allows you to avoid spontaneity and chaos in the work of the round table).
The scenario assumes:
Definition of the conceptual apparatus (thesaurus);
List of discussion questions (up to 15 formulations);
Development of “homemade” answers, sometimes contradictory and extraordinary, using a representative sample of information;
Closing speech by the moderator;
· equipping the premises with standard equipment (audio-video equipment), as well as multimedia tools in order to maintain a business and creative atmosphere;
· counseling participants (allows most participants to develop certain beliefs that they will defend in the future);
· preparation of necessary materials (on paper or electronic media): this can be statistical data, materials of a rapid survey, analysis of available information in order to provide participants and listeners of the “round table”
II Discussion stage comprises:
1. speech by the moderator, which defines the problems and conceptual apparatus (thesaurus), establishes regulations, rules for the general technology of the lesson in the form of a “round table” and informs about the general rules of communication.
2. General rules of communication include recommendations:
· - avoid common phrases;
· - focus on the goal (task);
· - know how to listen;
· - be active in the conversation;
· - be brief;
· - provide constructive criticism;
· - do not make offensive remarks towards your interlocutor.
· The presenter must act in a directive manner, strictly limiting the time of the round table participants.
3. conducting an “information attack”: participants speak out in a certain order, using convincing facts that illustrate the current state of the problem.
4. speeches by discussants and identification of existing opinions on the questions raised, focusing on original ideas. In order to maintain the intensity of the discussion, it is recommended to formulate additional questions:
5. answers to discussion questions;
6. the moderator sums up mini-summaries of the speeches and discussions: formulating the main conclusions about the causes and nature of disagreements on the problem under study, ways to overcome them, and a system of measures to solve this problem.
III The final (post-discussion) stage includes:
· summing up the final results by the presenter;
· establishing the overall results of the event.
Related information.
A round table is a fairly common event in almost any field where you have to work with people, negotiate or hold meetings. Let's consider what kind of public speaking this is and what its features are.
A round table is a type of group discussion. It is held to give a group of people the opportunity to listen to several experts speak on a particular topic, as well as discuss problematic issues and listen to the personal points of view of the participants in the event.
A roundtable can help participants gain a deeper understanding of a particular issue, as well as consider other participants' positions on the issue.
How to hold a round table
Identify an issue or topic that resonates. The topic can be formulated in the form of a question, a hypothesis, a real life situation, etc.
- Select experts, i.e., participants who are competent enough to speak on the issue. It is also desirable that they present different points of view on the problem. A round table usually involves 3 to 5 experts.
- Select a leader or moderator—one who will monitor the progress of the discussion, pass the floor on to participants, and direct the discussion in the right direction, using the speaker technique “Appealing to the Listeners” to present issues for consideration.
- Select event format
The round table can be held in different formats. For example, in this:
- The leader of the round table or his moderator voices the topic, and the experts present their vision of the problem within a set period of time
- Participants freely discuss the topic among themselves, asking questions or providing counter-arguments. A certain amount of time is allocated for discussion. The discussion is regulated by a moderator.
- The moderator closes the discussion and summarizes the experts' presentations and discussion
Responsibilities of the round table organizer
- Identify problematic topics for discussion
- Make sure that participants and the moderator are familiar with the roundtable procedure so that everyone can play their role effectively and avoid common speaking mistakes.
- If necessary, provide assistance to the round table participants (sources of information, necessary materials on the topic, etc.).
- Before the start of the round table, familiarize the participants with its principles, namely:
- Freedom of discussion
- The right to your own (reasoned) opinion
- Respect for other opinions
- Tolerant attitude towards participants
- Friendly tone of discussion
The recipe for success at a roundtable is the same as for any other public presentation. Remember that the purpose of the round table is a comprehensive look at the problem, at all its aspects. There is no point in convincing others that you are right by denying the opinions of others. Truth is born in discussion.
In our public speaking courses, we sometimes hold discussions where everyone plays the role of both a leader and a participant.
In the Central City Library named after. N. A. Nekrasov held a workshop “Technology for holding a round table” for employees of municipal libraries of the city of Krasnodar. The head of the innovation and methodological department N.V. Shokotko presented a methodological development of the same name, the materials of which can be found in this article. The participants also stayed for a demonstration event - a round table “Eco-Ya. Eco-We. Eco-World".
One of the most popular and effective methods of introducing readers to books in recent years in many Russian libraries has become the form of a mass event “round table”. In the library industry, it is a set of methods for promoting books and reading, which are based on the idea of collective discussion of current issues.
In this sense, discussions, debates, conversations and other traditional methods of conducting events are akin to a round table. But, despite the similarities, it has a number of advantages.
Round table First of all, it implies the active participation of a sufficiently large number of readers, the involvement of a group of specialists to discuss current problems, and prompt consideration of a wide range of issues of both theoretical and practical interest to the audience.
In addition, this form of event allows for the implementation of other methods of mass work (dialogue, polemics) and is characterized by increased information content.
Its participants not only receive and assimilate new information, learn to analyze problems and defend their position, but also show their knowledge, ability to persuade, and argue reasonedly.
Round table methodology, like any other event, includes a preparatory stage and the stage itself.
Preparatory stage of the round table
1. The librarian determines in advance and informs readers and all interested parties the topic, time and place of the event. In this case, the topic can be formulated in accordance with the interests and wishes of the readers themselves.
2. During the preparatory period, it is advisable to recommend to readers a list of publications that reflect the theme of the round table and contain different points of view on the problem.
3. At the stage of preparing the round table, a group of specialists is invited to act as a kind of idea generator for the event. These may be representatives of local government and public organizations, universities, and specialists in various fields. In some cases, the role of specialists can be played by the most prepared readers, library activists who pre-prepare short messages on various aspects of the topic under discussion.
4. To increase the cognitive activity of readers during the preparation for the event, written questions on the topic of the round table are collected. They are a guideline for the training of librarians and visiting specialists.
5. In order for the event to be interesting, meaningful and with high activity, during the preparation period it is necessary to think through the order of its conduct, the use of the principle of visibility, technical means, materials, media and such forms of enhancing reader activity as situational questions, video clips.
6. It is important to properly prepare the room for the event: arrange tables, arrange a library exhibition on the issue being discussed, prepare a slide presentation.
7. Particular responsibility during the preparation of the round table lies with the presenter (librarian). On the one hand, he organizes the work of readers, selects literature on the topic, ensures the quality of the event using various technical means, and on the other, coordinates the training of invited specialists.
Round table stage
1. It is advisable to start the round table with an introductory speech by the moderator (librarian). He announces the theme, goals and main problems of the event, introduces the audience of invited participants and the order of work.
2. The presenter gives the floor to speakers with brief reports on various aspects of the topic (problem) under discussion, either to invited specialists or to prepared readers. These can be either initiative speeches or pre-prepared answers to incoming written questions from readers.
3. If, after the messages, readers ask oral questions, then the presenter (librarian), at his discretion, gives the floor to one or another specialist for answers. If readers want to exchange opinions on the substance of speeches, they must be given the opportunity to speak.
4.After the discussion is completed, the moderator (librarian), as a rule, takes the final word, in which he sums up the results of the round table. In his speech, it is advisable for the presenter to note the completeness and depth of the discussion of the topic and its main problems, to assess the activity of readers, the questions received and the answers to them.
Options for holding round tables
Option 1. Participants make presentations, then discuss them. In this case, the presenter only distributes the time for presentations and gives the floor to the discussion participants.
Option 2. The presenter interviews the event participants or puts forward points for discussion. In this case, he makes sure that all participants speak out and “keeps” the course of the discussion in line with the main problem for which the round table meeting was organized. This method of conducting arouses great interest among the audience. But it requires a high level of skill and deep knowledge of the nuances of the problem being discussed from the presenter.
Option 3. Methodical gatherings. The organization of such a round table has its own characteristics. For discussion, questions are proposed that are necessary to solve some key problems of the library process. The topic of discussion is not announced in advance. In this case, the skill of the presenter should be to invite listeners in a relaxed atmosphere to a frank conversation on the issue under discussion and lead them to certain conclusions. The purpose of such “get-togethers” is to form the correct point of view on a certain library problem, to create a favorable psychological climate in this group of students.
Option 4. Methodological dialogue. In the format of such an event, listeners are familiarized with the topic of discussion in advance and receive theoretical homework. A methodological dialogue is conducted on a specific problem between the presenter and listeners or between groups of listeners. The driving force of the dialogue is the culture of communication and the activity of the participants. The general emotional atmosphere, which allows you to create a sense of internal unity, is of great importance. In conclusion, a conclusion is drawn on the topic and a decision is made on further joint actions.
Organizational features of round tables
Lack of a rigid structure and regulations. The organizer has practically no tools for direct influence on the course of the event (you cannot force guests to say what the organizers want), but only indirect ones. For example, you can divide the entire discussion into several semantic blocks, thereby formalizing the structure of the event. But everything that happens within these blocks depends entirely on the leader.
Significant restrictions in terms of the number of visitors;
Relative cheapness of holding compared to other “open” event formats;
The intimacy of the event.
Moderation (conducting) of the round table
The key element of any round table is moderation (from Italian “moderare” - mitigation, containment, moderation, curbing). In the modern understanding, moderation means a technique for organizing communication, thanks to which group work becomes more focused and structured.
The leader of the round table is called a moderator. His task is not just to announce the list of participants, outline the main topics of the meeting and kick off the event, but to keep everything that happens from start to finish under control. Therefore, the requirements for the professional qualities of the round table presenter are high. The moderator must be able to clearly formulate the problem, not deviate too far from the topic, highlight the main idea of the previous speaker and give the floor to the next speaker with a smooth logical transition, and follow the rules. Ideally, the roundtable leader should be impartial.
Do not forget that the moderator is also an actual participant in the event. Therefore, he must not only direct the discussion, but also partially take part in it, focus the attention of those present on the information that is required, or, conversely, try to move the conversation in a new direction as quickly as possible. It should be remembered that the presenter is obliged to have knowledge on the stated topic to the minimum required extent.
When holding round tables, much attention is paid to generalizing and summing up the results of the work. This is particularly useful because it provides an opportunity to test the degree of agreement between group members. If participants do not agree with each other, it is better to reveal this during the discussion than later in the actual activity. If the agreement reached during the discussion is not a real agreement, then it is quite possible that it will not be carried out in life after the end of the discussion. Summarizing should be done periodically at regular intervals, especially if the discussion is intended to last a long time or includes different aspects of the topic.
When generalizing, you need to speak in the words that the participants used, and only what they heard, without adding anything new from yourself. It is important to ensure that the group agrees on the main points that have been listed, but it is not necessary to force everyone to agree on the issues discussed.
The purpose of the round table is to exchange opinions, and when summing up it is better to outline the views and points of view that the group has. Even if new questions or topics arise during the discussion, you should not deviate from the plan.
Be sure to leave enough time to complete the round table and summarize its results. If the meeting is difficult to end, the participants are eager to continue the discussion, then this is a good indicator of the success of the event.
A round table as a form of collective discussion is widely used in the modern world, as it provides the maximum opportunity to conduct fruitful discussions, comprehensively consider various issues and develop joint solutions. In the process of considering topical issues discussed at the round table, any socially significant problems can be addressed, aimed at solving specific tasks, which undoubtedly helps to increase the interest of participants and fruitful cooperation between the librarian and readers.
When organizing a round table event, you need to take into account a large number of nuances. After all, communication at such a table presupposes maximum openness of the participants to each other and their readiness for dialogue. Therefore, for an effective round table, it is imperative that you first take care of choosing the right room. It should be spacious and bright enough so that each participant in the event can feel comfortable enough.
You also need to think about what the hall will be like. Flowers are often placed in the middle. In some cases, the center of the table is given over to demonstration screens that will duplicate the text of the speech.
Don't forget about the details. Prepare signs with the names of event participants in advance. Immediately determine who will sit and where. Decide this taking into account the views and interests of those present. So, for example, you should not place people next to each other who have diametrically opposed views on the same event - you will end up with nothing but conflict.
Place glasses of water on the table according to the number of participants in the event. Also include clean sheets of paper and writing utensils.
For the convenience of the speakers, prepare a projector, DVD player and (or a laptop) that will be connected to the screen. All this is necessary so that you can demonstrate visual materials during the performance.
Select the person who will lead the event. His tasks include process. This presenter must clearly react to the situation, master the topic of the event, be able to insert the right question at the right time or move the conversation into a more peaceful direction in case of a clash between rivals who are irreconcilable on a particular issue.
You also need to prepare a number of questions on the topic of the event. Suddenly the conversation gets stuck somewhere and you need to help those gathered. To do this, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the topic of the conversation in advance and work out the smallest details related to it.
Of course, take into account the fact that the round table meeting must be interrupted at least once for a coffee break. You should also prepare for it in advance. Such a break does not imply a hearty lunch, so you need to organize canapés, caviar tartlets, cookies, sandwiches, as well as tea and coffee. The more soulfully you organize the “snack” break, the easier it will be for you to make some kind of general decision during the entire meeting.
Well, don’t forget about closing the event. The ending of the meeting must be thought through very carefully. This can be an award for all participants, or for just one person. The final word of the round table organizer may be used as a conclusion.