Activity Name: Consensus

Time Required: 1-2 hrs

Class Size: 20-30

Level: Intermediate, Advanced

Material Req.: Consensus sheet for each student.

Optimum Time: Up to week 8. Don't overuse. One per two weeks.

Aim: To get each group of students to reach a consensus on the task's solution.

Background: Good activity that can be fun.

Procedure: Inbrief - Introduce setting e.g. North Pole, the Moon. Describe basic rules for consensus 1. Don't yield unless persuaded to do so by logic and reason. 2. Don't use averaging procedures. 3. Discuss all possible answers, even those that seem unreasonable.

Individual work - Students read sheet and make individual choices.

Group work - Sit students in groups of four or five, no larger. Students discuss each item giving reasons why they selected such a choice and challenge other's opinion. They come up with a group consensus.

Debrief - Write each group's answer on board. Go through each answer asking why group made choice. Encourage other groups to challenge. Alternatively, get one member from group to stand up at front of class and present group's solution. Finally, present "expert" solution if available.

Additional Notes: Teacher motivates students by setting situation in inbrief. Teacher monitors groups and participates in a limited way. Full participation is usually not possible since this can hinder group's consensus efficiency. Teacher makes sure group's do not by-pass consensus procedure through averaging procedures.

Language Feature: Usually concrete (but sometimes abstract) discussion and problem-solving language.

If time is short/long?: If short, tell students to make quick decisions and debrief. If long, push students to discuss seemingly unreasonable answers; calculate the number of correct answers they have, tell them and get them to go through list again to try and improve score. If one group finishes very early, split them up and put one student with each of other groups.

Variations: Each consensus activity has its own peculiarities. Here are some extra tips:

Lost at Sea, North Pole Survival, Survival on the Moon: Good "survival-type" activities.

Wilderness Survival: A great laugh - save till last week.

The Kidney Machine: More complex therefore allow more time. An alternative approach is to give biographical reports to one group (weaker students) and psychological reports to other. Have them reach consensus then mix biographical groups with psychological (half and half) and have them reach final consensus.

Human Fears, The American Dream, Upbeat Generation: Look at social issues of American culture. Allow more time for Upbeat Generation.

Should the Family Move? - Really a discussion.