snowball discussion technique october 2010 website final
TRANSCRIPT
Objec&ve
Par%cipants will use the Snowball technique to generate ideas with suppor%ng jus%fica%on in order to solve a problem.
Discussion Technique: Snowball
• Allows quieter students to voice their opinions in smaller groups and build up to a whole-‐class discussion
• Directs discussion for complex problem-‐solving
Scenario
There is a category five hurricane (similar to Katrina) approaching a major city on the Gulf Coast. The civil engineers who constructed the levees are standing by with five days to design a test to evaluate whether it meets the design specifica%ons. Within the five days they must use the results to modify the prototype to op%mize the solu%on.
On day two, the engineering team must communicate the design through a wriMen, oral, or visual presenta%on to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). By day four, the team must develop plans including drawing measurements and details of construc%on, and construct a model of the solu%on.
Problem
In the past, the levees have been able to withstand the force of category 4 storms and below, but have never experienced a category 5 storm.
The engineers are not sure the levees will be able to withstand the force of the storm.
Develop a solu&on to protect the two mile span of land that is inhabited by 1,000 residents.
Exit Ticket
On the index card provided, please list:
• 1 PRO that you have about this discussion technique.
• 1 CON that you have about this discussion technique.
• 1 ques%on or applica%on that you have for this discussion technique.