Group Discussion

Group Discussion

Objectives:

     >To train students to discuss freely in a group without inhibition.

     > To train students to learn and speak assertively while being polite.

     > To train students to arrive at a solution collectively as a team

     >To train students to participate and contribute in a right way.

     >To train students to think about a subject from various angles.

     >To train students to interact one another.

     >To provide opportunities for student to express their views without taking any stance as in a debate.

     >To serve the purpose of improving the communication skills, confidence intellect, creativity, approach to solving problem, qualities of leadership, tolerance and group behavior.

Introduction:

       This chapter aims at boosting the confidence in an individual while driving out his/her inhibition. This also aims at bringing out the hidden skills of individuals as far as learning and speaking are concerned.

Course Study: 

       During the class room session the students will be engaging themselves in a discussion process, group wise on a given topic. This session helps them a lot in improving their verbal talents and etiquette. This is also adds to their thinking and creative awareness on the subject manner.

       The students can exchange their views with the members of their group and elaborate the discussion. This topic enables the students on the lines of improving their learning, thinking and speaking manners by presenting the contents in a polite manner by presenting the contents in a polite manner. 

        The students can on one hand acquire the skills related to thinking and speaking and on the other, they can also know and enrich their skills of representation of the topic given for group discussion.

Group Discussion:

Now-a-days, Group Discussion, GD is a popular selection tool in business schools and for entry level positions in corporate  When number of applicants is more, GD as a selection elimination tool is very convenient.

Some Colleges have also used group discussion for some of the entry level management selections.

What Is Group Discussion?

       The term group discussion is used to refer to a situation in which a small number of persons to come face to face and to involve themselves in a discussion to free verbal interaction among themselves, exchange information or attempt to reach at a decision on shared problems. 

        We may find a group of 5-15 participants seated to take part in the group discussion. Generally a topic is given and the group is asked to discuss that topic. Each candidate is assessed on the basis of his/her performance during the group discussion.

Time Limit:

There is no fixed time limit. Generally group discussions are conducted for a period of 10 to 45 minutes.

Purpose of Group Discussion in Education:

The ability of the participants in term of communication skills, analytical skills, assertiveness, confidence, intellect, creativity approach to solving problems, qualities of leadership tolerance and group behavior is brought out.

Responsibility of the Members as a Group:

1)    If any member is keeping quiet, it is the duty of the others to draw his/her opinion.

2)    If a member is aggressive or dominating or speaking continuously, it is the duty of the others to curb him politely.

3)    One of the members should summarize the points made till that time & then present his view point.

             There are broadly two types of group discussions, one where the discussion is topic based or secondly, a case study may be given to group. Here are some do’s and don’ts of group discussions.

Some DO’s Opening:

        Speaking first is a high risk high return strategy. It can make the GD performance dependency on how on handles it. In most GDs the opening speaker is the person who gets maximum uninterrupted airtime. 

        The reason is simple at the start most other participants in the GD are still trying to understand the basic issues in the topic or are too nervous to speak and are waiting for someone else to start. Therefore the evaluators get the best chance to observe the opening speaker. Now this is a double edged sword.

         If the opening speaker talks sense naturally he will get credit because he opened and took the group in the right direction. If on the other hand the first speaker doesn’t make too much sense while talking, he will attract the undivided attention of the evaluation to his shortcomings.

       He will be marked as a person who speaks without thinking merely for the sake of speaking. So, remember speak first only if you have something sensible to say otherwise, keep quiet and let someone else start.

      

             Body Language is at play in its best form in a group discussion and evaluators can easily make out as to who is nervous etc. This is something you cannot correct in a short time but if you leave practiced properly then the chances of displaying positive body language is more.

                      Proper eye contact and a quick movement of eyes is required if size of the group is large. GD as a tool has a got its own limitation as some people may have to shout to make themselves heard, especially if you have a soft voice. That’s okay and desirable, as you have your point.

                The group is given a chance to decide upon topic you should think of general topic on which people can speak. When the time is short then you should give points, which are beyond the obvious, and thus perfect your knowledge base. Common tendency is for candidates to start with the most obvious points/quotes/definitions, which should be avoided.

It is best to be neutral on the controversial topic such as reservation or gender bias.

Mannerism plays an important role especially at a point when you have to display self-restraint.

The quality of what you say is more important than quantity. Try to think of the various arguments of yours and others as parts of a jigsaw puzzle or as building blocks of a large argument of or against the topic.

    “Fill the brain with high Thoughts, Highest Ideals, place them day and night before you, And out of that will come GREAT WORK” by Swami Vivekanada

Accept the joint responsibilities and take decision as a group. You must demonstrate the fact that you are capable of and inclined to work as part of a team.

When you asked to summarize,  about points from all the participants. It should prove that you are a good listener. While summarizing, you should not only repeat your opinion but give a proper summary of what has actually happened.

DON’Ts:

>Don’t adopt a negative stance

> Don’t give a casual look

> Don’t flay hands

>Don’t talk too fast

>Don’t interrupt someone while he/she is speaking.

>Don’t use slang and improper language

>Don’t speak loudly

>Don’t talk too fast round

>Don’t be emotional