Group Presentation Activity

Lecturer: Dr Mei Ying Boon

It is important to understand the context in which knowledge about optometry and vision
science is used. This activity will introduce you to major issues confronting the professional
practice of optometry and vision science.
You will form teams using a lecturer-inspired networking activity. You will then research a
topic and your ultimate aim is to present your findings and thoughts in an entertaining and
informative manner during your scheduled time slot during semester.
Once in your teams, you will decide whether as a group you would like to work together as a
group based on principles you have gained from understanding of your individual personality
types, learning styles and networks or applying Edward De Bonos Six Thinking Hats Toolkit.
Whichever you decide, in your reflection you should explain how you tried to apply this
information to your behind-the-scenes management of your group presentation activity and
what seemed to work and what did not, and why.
Readings associated with this class include: Edward de Bonos Six Thinking Hats and
Personality Types, Learning Styles and Learning Networks.

Learning Outcomes
After completion of this activity, students:

Will gain insight into the major issues confronting the professional practice of optometry
and vision science.

Will develop working, and hopefully friendship, relationships with a group of vision
science students.

Will apply knowledge of interpersonal skills in a group-setting towards selection of a

group presentation topic, development of the presentation idea, research of the topic and
coordination and communication between group members.

Group Dynamics Homework Options

(A) Personality types, learning styles and my
network, or
(B) De Bonos 6 thinking hats
In Activity A, you will be exploring personality types, learning styles and your network. Each
member of your group presentation team should complete this homework and you should
make a time to all meet and compare your findings. This homework aims to assist you in
gaining an understanding of how you differ from some teammates but share commonalities
with others so you can see yourself in context. Related to that, you will learn about
characteristics of people whom you will deal with in clinical settings, such as clients/patients,
colleagues, and suppliers. You will come to realise that even the most annoying ones are not
just being jerks, they have particular perspectives and values based on their personality type,
experiences, and abilities. That is, you will see others in new ways, and you will recognise
how they might perceive you (scary thought, that). You should think about how you can use
this information to make the Group Presentation Activity be a success.
In Activity B, as part of a group, you will be trying a well-known method problem-solving
method and demonstrating that you have done this through dated meeting minutes that you
took yourself personally. Each team member should take the minutes for at least one meeting.
Hints on how to take minutes may be found online (e.g.
http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/communication/a/minutes.htm). As soon as you complete
this homework, submit this in your eLearning Portfolio and online through the submission
box.

Learning Outcomes
After completion of this workshop, students:

Homework Option A: Will gain insight into their own personality and how this may differ
from or be similar to their classmates; Will gain insight into their personality in context
with others in their network and the importance of developing learning networks.

Homework Option B: Will put a well-known group dynamics problem-solving strategy

into action and gain insights into its practice

Homework Option A:
Personality Types, Learning Styles, & Your Network
Read the directions through completely first. Then, go for it. Bring this work with you to
team meeting and submit it in your eLearning Portfolio and online through the submission
box.

1. Go to www.keirsey.com/cgi-bin/newkts.cgi and take this personality test. There is a

version of this test that is free, but you may need to hunt around the web site a little.
2. Record your type, comment on how accurate you think the characterisation is. What
are your criteria for accuracy?
3. Find two other personality type tests on the web. For one of them, explain what
appeals to you about it. Also, describe what you see as its main weakness.
4. Identify two learning style tests on the web or in a book or magazine. Take the test
that seems more insightful, and record your type.
5. Find a test on the web for the seven* intelligences of Howard Gardner, the Harvard
educational psychologist (*or eight, as the list has grown). Take the test, and read the
category descriptions. Identify your strongest intelligence, your second strongest, and
your weakest.
6. Now, prepare to compare your types with those of others whom you know. Draw a
network diagram depicting 20 individuals from your personal network. You can consult a
social psychology or business textbook for examples of network diagrams. Indicate
graphically

how often you communicate with each person and how formal the interaction is,
what you discuss, and which individuals interact with each other.

7. In your personal network, identify two individuals who seem to have personality types
different from your own. Give a brief example of why each person fits that type. Explain
briefly what you value about them.
8. Format your write up on 1-7 above as if it is a resume. That is, present each item
briefly as a feature of yourself as a potential business partner or employee.

Homework Option B:
De Bonos Six Thinking Hats
Become familiar with De Bonos Six Thinking Hats toolkit

Diagram from : http://www.debonoforschools.com/asp/six_hats.asp and

Read the book by Edward de Bono, Six Thinking Hats. Penguin, 2000
A related document will be uploaded in Moodle.