BEING THE CHAIRING TEAM

Each team chairs one session for the benefit of the other teams in the second part of the course. In
the third part of the course we use a split session approach, e.g. two teams chair a session on the
same topic during the seminar (practical seminars). The chairing team does not work out the content
of the weekly assignments; instead, it is expected to think about how best to achieve the learning
goals of their meeting (i.e.: using and interpreting the team assignments to engage the class in
reflection on the issues raised) and then to consult with the tutor on how to structure and facilitate
the class to achieve this. These talks should begin at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting,
especially if there are ideas for additional assignments, extra literature, video and guest lecturer etc.
One week is much too short to arrange this all. One week before the seminar you will meet your
tutor to prepare. One week later (the day or morning for the seminar) you will meet again.

During the seminar the details of the final approved timetable (script) are communicated. Any
accompanying assignments are released to all the teams as soon as possible after the first meeting.

Chairing a meeting is fun and a very useful skill to develop, but it demands good preparation and
much attention! In particular...

- Quality preparation sets the tone for quality meetings

- Think about what you can expect from the audience and what they can handle in two and a
half hours you have (last half an hour for feedback). For example: What is the knowledge of
the audience on that specific theme, or how do we trigger them to make them enthusiastic
about a theme?
- Clear assignments generate better results. Don’t surprise your fellow students with
unexpected topics/questions. They can discuss issues better if you have given them some
time to prepare their thoughts in advance.
- Try to mobilize all the available brainpower in the group instead of trying to control it.
- Structure the meeting well (divide the tasks, do not plan too much for an afternoon)
- Facilitate proactively (do not just react to the class; prepare structure in advance)
- Make everybody in the seminar responsible for the success of the meeting by clearly
communicating the (learning) goals you have for the meeting in advance. Keep repeating
them, if the class deviates from its path!
- Draw the meeting to a conclusion (and know before you start the meeting how you intend to
do this effectively): summarize the learning experience, and present the results of the class
discussion.

Make sure you are prepared for both of the sessions with your tutor. You twice have an hour to
make use of the specialties of your tutor so use them well. You need to discuss (informal) two or
more ideas two weeks before the seminar, so you can work during the first meeting on your script. If
there are any long term plans (like inviting a guest speaker), you should plan this before the first
meeting, otherwise a week is way too short to make it happen.