| |
impart human relations skills without the risk inherent in training by other methods.
To use this method, first describe the situation. Then select students to play the parts of the
principal characters and give them a short time to think through what they are going to say and
do. Next, let the students enact the situation. Finally, under your direction, allow the group
to analyze the enactment. Help them to evaluate what the characters said and did, how they
felt, how they reacted, and how they might have reacted differently.
Successful role-playing provides a chance for every student to take part in the lesson. It
provides vivid experiences both for the participants and for the observers. Remember, however,
that students can completely develop their human relations skills only through experience.
CASE STUDY
When using the case study method, focus the attention of the students upon a specific case,
which can be hypothetical or real. Collisions at sea, fires, flooding, grounding, and aircraft
casualties all make good case studies. You will normally present the class with a case study in
printed form. You may also present case studies through the use of pictures, films, role-playing,
or oral presentations.
After presenting the case study, divide the class into groups to analyze why or how the
incident happened and how it can be prevented in the future. Have each group briefly explain
their conclusions so that the class can learn if more than one correct alternative exists.
The main objective of a case study is for students to learn from experience and develop
problem solving skills.
Use it to help students identify safety violations that have led to
incidents, accidents, or casualties and how they can be prevented in the future. Proper planning
and organization are your keys to getting results in using this method of instruction.
DISCUSSION
The discussion is an activity in which people talk together to share information about a topic
or problem or to seek possible available evidence or a solution. When you use discussion, make
sure the seating arrangement allows all participants to have eye contact with each other. This
necessarily limits class size.
This method involves an interchange of ideas by the students while you provide guidance.
Used alone or in combination with other methods, it stimulates every student to think
constructively. It also encourages students to share their personal experiences and knowledge
with their classmates and to contribute ideas as a means of solving problems.
Initiating discussion and channeling students’ thinking and responses along predetermined
lines is called “directed discussion.” This method is useful in teaching skills such as problem
solving and understanding cause-and-effect relationships.
Directed discussion is often used in training that is conducted for the purpose of developing
favorable attitudes toward a subject or situation. When that is your purpose, directed discussion
61
|
