Procedure:
- The instructor describes a realistic conflict situation. (Example below). The situation will be dramatized in form of a role play. The students discuss how the conflict could be resolved. It is possible that they are already describing the partial steps listed in the model “Solving the problem in 6 steps”.
- The students receive and read the worksheet “solving problems in 6 steps”. They then compile a list of examples of conflicts that occur between the parents and children of their peer group. Examples:
- A girl/boy would like to go out to a certain place. The parents are opposed and say the child should rather study. Most of all s/he should not go to that establishment.
- Students makes fun of a classmate because of his/her accent or a speech impediment.
- A girl/boy meets another boy/girl, but the parents are against it because of his/her origin (e. g. s/he belongs to another ethnic group or hails from another country).
- Some youths would like to listen to certain music during the break. Others are against it, because they would rather listen to a different kind of music or piece.
- Many refuse to sit next to a certain student, owing to their prejudices in terms of his/her origin, religion or nationality.
- A conflict is chosen, which then is more closely analyzed. (Variant: 2–3 conflicts for 2–3 groups).
In a first step, the parties to the conflict convene separately to discuss their positions following the 6-step plan (e. g. all “parents”, all youths that want to listen to a certain kind of music, all girls/boys who don’t want to sit at this place, etc.). They then meet with their counterparts within the same group and begin the negotiations according to the 6-step plan. The instructor stops the negotiations after about 15–20 minutes; the students return to the classroom where they exchange their experiences in the class as a whole. - Hint: it would be optimal if the groups selected a mediator who would guide them through the 6-step plan. This process could also be implemented in a second run through the exercise.
For master copy of the worksheep for “Solving a problem in 6 steps”, see below.
WS – Solving the problem in 6 steps
Workscheet for students
| 1. Step: Clarify the needs. |
| What do you need? What exactly do you want?Each party to this conflict must answer this question without blaming others or making accusations against them. |
| 2. Step: Describe the problem precisely. |
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What do you think is the problem? All students can describe the problem from their own point of view. The opponents must be ready to accept the viewpoints of the other groups. |
| 3. Step: Search for different solutions. |
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What would other possible solutions look like? All students can contribute answers. These must be recorded in writing – without commentary or evaluation. The goal is to find as many solutions as possible. |
| 4. Step: Evaluate the solutions. |
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How satisfied would you be with the various solutions? Each party to the conflict evaluates the various suggestions for a solution and explains which ones are acceptable to them and why, and which ones are not and why. |
| 5. Step: Decide which solution is best. |
| Do you accept this solution? Was the problem solved?It must be clear that both parties accept the solution. Their efforts to seek a solution should be appreciated. |
| 6. Step: Analyze how the solution is implemented. |
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Let’s talk about the situation once more to ensure that the problem was solved. A plan is developed to evaluate the solution. Depending on the kind of conflict and the age of the parties to the conflict, an evaluation can be implemented within a few minutes, hours or not until the next lesson. |