Learning in Public
Below are exercises, activities, and models designed to help Gracious Space practitioners explore the element of "learning in public" with different groups.
- Setting
- Spirit
- Invite the Stranger
- Learning in Public
Appreciative Inquiry Overview - A short overview of Appreciative Inquiry and how it applies to Gracious Space.
Asking Good Questions Through Appreciative Inquiry - Understanding Appreciative Inquiry is the first step, this document provides ways of using the technique to ask the good questions that will be the most helpful and revealing.
- Compelling Questions in Gracious Space
- Gracious Space provides an opportunity for groups to dive deep into issues that matter most to them. Asking a compelling question to begin the process is an important skill to develop. This provides elements and examples of compelling questions we've used.
- 2-Minute Uninterrupted Conversation Activity
- This exercise allows people the unique opportunity to talk and be heard for two minutes without verbal feedback or interruptions.
- Discerning When Patterns Don't Serve
- This piece talks about recognizing patterns of behavior in individuals and groups that are no longer serving their purpose, and gives some ideas of what needs to be done to address them.
- Dialogue Building Blocks in Gracious Space
- A summary of the key components to dialogue based on David Bohm's work. This can provide a simple overview or reminder for groups about the true meaning of dialogue.
- Skillful Discussion as a Tool with Gracious Space
- Similar to Dialogue, but Skillful Discussion is a tool that leads people in a learning journey with the intention of coming to some closure.
- Principles of Quaker Dialogue
- Once Gracious Space is established, there are several methods possible to have the conversations that are needed. The Quaker dialogue model provides a framework that allows for silence, depth, and reflection.
- Open Space Technology
- Open Space is a tool that can be used to help groups self-organize into subgroups around the issues that are most important to them.
- World Cafe Process
- World Cafes are ways of holding conversations on the same topic or theme with different mixes of people in a short period of time. This allows for a rich mix of ideas, lessons, and relationship building.
- Map Your Change Context
- An exercise to help people clarify and understand the context of the change effort that they are working on.
- Theory U Overview
- Otto Scharmer's Theory U provides an excellent integrated model for change processes and individual development.
- Stages of Learning Graph
- A graphic illustration of how most people and groups move through a learning process. This is helpful to think about in the design phases.