HOW TO ORGANISE AN INTERACTION SESSION: How should we begin? What are the norms? What is the time slot? Any assessment criteria? These and many such questions may be coming to your mind. The guidelines given below would help you find answer to all such questions as well as guide you as to how to carry out this exercise.
How to form a group? -You could begin with by forming your group. An ideal group has 3 to 5 (maximum number) participants. Once your group is formed, convey the names of your group members to your counsellor.
Deciding on a topic of discussion - Next identify the topic for interaction.
Eight themes are given in the following section. You may either choose any one of these, or take any topic other than the ones mentioned here, and decide on the focus of your topic. The guidelines provided for each of these themes are merely suggestive. You are free to develop your own set of points for discussion. After final agreement on the topic and its focus, it will be useful to jot down the objectives. This would help you to focus your discussion sharply.
The role of each individual in the team - With the mutual consent of the team each individual can choose hisher role in the group, one person can become a convenor of the team and coordinate the activities of the team including the preparation and circulation of a write-up (more details regarding this are given below).
Another person from the group can become the chairperson whose task is to facilitate a smooth, purposeful transaction of ideas, opinions and information among the participants during the Interaction Session. The chairperson is also expected to boost the morale of the team, bring in the inhibited participants; and give equal opportunities for discussion to all the group members. While doing all these he/she also has to watch out that anything in the Interaction Session may not hurt the sensitivities of any person.
Yet another person can be a recorder also known as-reporter, who can keep a written record of the issues taken up, the suggestions that emerged, the consensus, any strong or differing opinions of the panellists. Notes-taking it is a task requiring intense concentration. Therefore the recorder is usually exempted from participating directly in the discussion.
Any one participant may volunteer to sum up the salient points of discussion. This job could also be done either by the chairperson or the recorder, this you can decide amongst yourselves.
Your counsellor would always be there, if you need any help.
Knowing the relevant details regarding the Interaction Session - Make sure to enquire about all the details regarding the interaction session, viz., date, time, duration and venue from your counsellor, well in advance. We feel that a time slot of 1 '/2 to 2 hours duration should be sufficient for one such group interaction session. This means, you have to do all your home-work or any preparation earlier. That time is not counted in the time slot mentioned above.
Preparing for the Interaction Session - It is a necessary step for an endeavour like this. It involves making an in-depth study and thinking deeply about the chosen topic. In this process one explores the literature, and interacts with people. This helps in clarifying many points, widening one's perspective and developing an insight into the topic. We advise you to undergo this rigour.
Rest assured, not only would the quality of your presentation, but also the quality of your participation in the interaction would be of high order!
Preparing and Circulating the Write-up - In order to have a fruitful interaction it is essential that your team prepares a one-page write up - the precise topic, its objectives, and the line of discussion to be taken up at the interaction session. The write-up may be prepared by the convenor, or any person from the team. It is always helpful that the person handling this job should interact, and take the inputs of the team members, before finalising the write-up. This exercise would help the team as a whole to know the exact focus of the discussion. It would be useful, if the write-up is circulated among the participants at least one day in advance, so that they can concretise their - thoughts and reactions to the issues mentioned therein. Some copies of the write-up should also be kept handy for the desirous persons from the audience.
What to carry for the Interaction Session - Remember to bring along the paper(s) on which you have noted down your points earlier for easy recall, and other things such as transparencies, pictures and so on, that you intend to use in the session. Some loose sheets/writing pad and pen/pencil should not be forgotten.
lrrungernents at the Interaction Session - After you have assembled at the venue at the designated hour, take your seat. Make sure that the seating arrangement is such that you are able to easily view or rather establish eye contact with your other team members. Three such seating plans given in Figure would give you and an experience to remember. The foremost requirement is - a thorough preparation, and clear thinking about the various facets of the proposed topic of discussion. Once you have occupied your seat, bring yourself to the level of your best concentration and alertness. Remember to be a patient listener to the points raised, the arguments developed, the explanations made and the data presented during the discussion. Participate unhesitatingly in the discussion and express your viewpoints freely. Always seek the permission of the chairperson before speaking. Try to be perceptive to the sensitivities of people and take the utmost care not to hurt the feelings of any one. While you speak, your tone should be moderate, firm and audible to all. Note down any points coming to your mind while the discussion is on, and you can take them up subsequently in the discussion, at the right moments.
Assessment Criteria for the Session - This is a mandatory exercise carrying a weight age of ten marks (the break-up is given below). You would be assessed by your counsellor. The assessment criteria given below would give you an idea of the elements important for a session like this.