In the context of the Practical Sustainability Course at Kinsale Further Education College Thomas Riedmuller developed the following two modules (’Conflict Resolution’ and ‘Community Leadership’) which have been accepted by FETAC (Further Education Training and Awards Council). Thomas has been teaching them to second year students one day a week between September and June since Sept. 2004. These modules are now also open to other students.
Conflict Resolution Module
The following topics are covered in various formats (individual reflection, pairs, triads, small groups of 4-5, brainstorm, group discussion, mini-lectures, presentations, role play, fishbowls, go-arounds, facilitation and mediation exercises)
Active Listening - Passive, Aggressive, Assertive Responses - Effective Feedback - ‘I’-Statements versus ‘You’-Statements - Emotional Literacy - ‘Emotional Allergies’ - Anger Management - ‘Non-Violent Communication’ - Conflict Escalation/De-escalation - Inner Conflicts - Interpersonal Conflicts - Intergroup Conflicts - Conflict Case Studies - Positions/Interests - Competition vs Cooperation - Argumentation - Win-Win Solutions - Interventions against Prejudice and Abuse - Rank-Awareness - Social Skills and Meta-Skills - Mediation - Speach Training
Portfolio of Assessment
Skills Demonstration
In mediation role plays candidates will be assessed in their ability to apply all conflict
resolution skills covered during the course.
Learner Record
A personal Journal will be compiled by candidates. It will include learning experiences during class and their application and relevant observations in real life – to be collected from day one of the course and delivered towards its end.
Community Leadership Module
Basic Agreements - Values - Roles - Participatory Group Decision Making - Consensus, Majority and other Decision Making Methods - Understanding Groups, Communities and Nations - Communities between Globalisation and Localisation - Hierarchies in Groups - Stages of Community Building - Content vs Process - Teamwork - Facilitator vs Chairperson - Facilitator under Attack - Dealing with ‘Difficult Behaviour’ - Facilitative Listening Skills - Formats of Group work - Delegation - Building Shared Frameworks of Understanding - Chart Writing - Proposal Writing - Agenda Planning - Evaluation
Portfolio of Assessment
Assignment
The internal assessor will devise a brief that requires the candidate to produce a report and make a presentation to the rest of the learning group about a community or group experience in the outside world analysing methods and stages of decision making, group dynamics and other features of the group process and suggesting ways of improving the efficiency of this group.
Skills Demonstration
Candidates will be assessed in a half an hour video taped (imaginary) team meeting about a topic of their choice in which they show facilitation skills covered during the course.
Extracts from the Module Descriptors:
Conflict Resolution Level 5 Code L 22127
8 General Aims
Learners who successfully complete this module will:
8.1 understand how conflict evolves in their own lives, employment situations and in the world at large
8.2 be capable of listening effectively and structuring speech thus developing good practice of clear communication
8.3 acquire the skills to manage, de-escalate and resolve conflicts between individuals and in groups
8.4 develop a deeper awareness of their own and other people’s emotions and of how they contribute to group processes
8.5 gain significant insights into how heightened awareness of what is happening in
each moment can be used for resolving conflicts
9 Units The specific learning outcomes are grouped into 4 units.
Unit 1 Conflict Awareness
Unit 2 Skills for Effective Communication
Unit 3 Techniques for de-escalating conflicts
Unit 4 Mediation
10 Specific Learning Outcomes
Unit 1 Conflict Awareness
Learners should be able to:
10.1.1 analyse how conflicts evolve in their own lives and in the workplace
10.1.2 recognise signs and cues of conflict escalation
10.1.3 identify different ways of perceiving conflict
10.1.4 distinguish between conflict and violence
10.1.5 outline the consequences of unresolved conflicts for individuals and organisations
10.1.6 explain what is positive about conflict
10.1.7 distinguish between 6 common conflict resolution styles (i.e. mediation, negotiation, litigation, legislation, compromising, avoiding)
10.1.8 describe or name underlying feelings in specific situations or actions and distinguish them from intellectual concepts
10.1.9 explain how their needs and expectations in real life situations lead to their emotions and how their responses to others determine whether their needs are met.
Unit 2 Skills for Effective Communication
Learners should be able to:
10.2.1 recognise the importance of clear communication between group members
10.2.2 identify a wide range of social skills necessary for interacting successfully in organisations and communities
10.2.3 ask non-accusatory questions
10.2.4 listen actively and with empathy
10.2.5 distinguish between ‘You’-statements and ‘I’-statements and use them appropriately in context
10.2.6 give and receive effective feedback
10.2.7 analyse arguments and underlying values
10.2.8 structure speech with the aim of communicating contents and intentions effectively
10.2.9 explain the importance self-esteem and personal growth
10.2.10 communicate a wide range of emotions appropriately
Unit 3 Techniques for De-escalating Conflicts
Learners should be able to:
10.3.1 use specific language with de-escalating outcomes
10.3.2 manage their own emotions such as anger, fear, desire, etc.
10.3.3 summarise complex statements
10.3.4 reduce tension by paraphrasing demands and statements
10.3.5 reframe escalating statements into non-confrontational ones
10.3.6 translate aggressive statements into statements that highlight underlying unmet needs
10.3.7 distinguish between positions, interests and points of view
10.3.8 formulate observations without interpretation
10.3.9 distinguish between requests and demands
Unit 4 Mediation
Learners should be able to:
10.4.1 explain the difference between mediation and arbitration
10.4.2 identify examples of mediation
10.4.3 outline issues of trust and distrust
10.4.4 explain the implications of confidentiality
10.4.5 highlight common ground in volatile situations
10.4.6 recognise implications of neutrality and balance in mediation
10.4.7 lead a safe mediation process by using a wide range of techniques such as focussing questions, paraphrasing, reframing, brainstorming for solutions, etc.
10.4.8 evaluate the performance of a mediation session
11 Portfolio of Assessment
Summary
Skills Demonstration 60 %
Learner Record 40 %
11.1 Skills Demonstration
Each Candidate will be given sufficient opportunity to apply a broad range of conflict resolution skills in role play as a mediator. These will be observed and assessed by the teacher. Evidence may be submitted in the form of recordings.
11.2 Learner Record A personal Journal will be compiled by candidates.
It will include learning experiences during class and their application and relevant observations in real life and work situations – to be collected from day one of the course and delivered towards its end
Community Leadership
Level 5 Code L 22128
8 General Aims
Learners who successfully complete this module will:
8.1 appreciate the roles of individuals within groups, organisations and communities
8.2 be familiar with the specific nature of leadership and how issues of power and authority relate to it
8.3 be able to analyse individual and group problems and demonstrate ways of solving them
8.4 have practical experience in leading small and medium sized groups, in problem-solving, decision making and completing individual group tasks
8.5 develop a wide range of skills necessary to participate in and lead groups
9 Units
The specific learning outcomes are grouped into 3 units.
Unit 1 Understanding Communities and Group Development
Unit 2 Decision Making
Unit 3 Facilitation and Leadership
10 Specific Learning Outcomes
Unit 1 Understanding Communities and Group Development
Learners should be able to:
10.1.1 define the roles of individuals within groups and communities
10.1.2 explain the relationship between different communities (family, workplace, local community, networks, nations etc)
10.1.3 identify stages in the development of groups, teams, and communities
10.1.4 analyse how communities are structured in terms of roles, hierarchies, transparence and openness
10.1.5 identify explicit and implicit values in communities
10.1.6 list and interpret basic agreements in groups
10.1.7 explain the pressure on local communities under current societal trends such as
globalisation, consumerism, migration etc.
10.1.8 show how issues of imbalance, injustice and past hurts affect group life and how these issues can be addressed
10.1.9 outline factors which contribute to the success or failure of intentional and non-intentional communities.
Unit 2 Decision Making
Learners should be able to:
10.2.1 describe the different stages of personal and professional decisions in their life
10.2.2 identify a wide range of basic agreements which can help a group to become effective in decision making
10.2.3 demonstrate various methods of accessing information and of solving problems in a group
10.2.4 distinguish between content and process in group discussions and understand how they interrelate
10.2.5 show ways of raising a group’s awareness of its process
10.2.6 define different decision making methods
10.2.7 demonstrate the facilitation of decisions by ‘majority’ and by ‘consensus’.
Unit 3 Facilitation and Leadership
Learners should be able to:
10.3.1 analyse their own attitude towards authority and leadership figures and common authority issues in mainstream society
10.3.2 explain their own motivation to lead
10.3.3 demonstrate techniques of counteracting abusive language and prejudice
10.3.4 model non-judgemental and inclusive language and behaviour
10.3.5 assess their own strengths and limitations as leaders
10.3.6 develop their ability to delegate tasks and to value the contribution of other team and community members
10.3.7 apply a wide range of facilitation skills to real group situations
10.3.8 understand the importance of their attitudes behind their skills (Metaskills) and continually increase their awareness of these attitudes
11 Portfolio of Assessment
Summary
Skills Demonstration 60 %
Assignment 40 %
11.1 Skills Demonstration In one or more skills demonstrations candidates will be observed carrying out the facilitation skills as outlined in the specific learning outcomes.
11.2 Assignment The internal assessor will devise a brief that requires the candidate to prepare a report about a concrete example of a specific local community or group meeting suggesting ways to empower its members through skilful leadership. The assignment should include an analysis of the group’s values, basic agreements, hierarchies and decision making methods.
Leadership and Conflict Resolution Book List
- S.Kaner “Facilitators’ Guide to Participatory Decision Making