This methodology has been developed by a group of educators, academics and civil society actors. This is an ongoing process that you are warmly invited to take part in!
 

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OSDE PROCEDURES

General prcedures for teacher/adult education (16+):

  1. Engagement with stimulus (prompting cognitive dissonance) & Airing of views - in pairs
  2. Informed thinking – where to find out more
  3. Reflexive questions - individually (related to own perspectives)
  4. Open Space questions – in small groups (focus on different logics and power + origins and implications of perspectives)
  5. Responsible choices – in small groups (decision making processes related to the theme)
  6. Debriefing (reflection on learning process and quality of space)

1. Stimulus and airing: exposure to a stimulus presenting different and ‘logical’ perspectives on the theme. The perspectives should present different angles of the issue and prompt ‘cognitive dissonance’ in the participants, who are encouraged to react to the stimulus by exploring the origins and implications of each perspective and relate them to their own perspectives. Note: the main objective of this step is NOT to check what participants ‘think about’ the theme. Suggested timing and mode: 10 minutes of pair work

2. Informed thinking: brainstorm on sources of information about the theme, mainstream and non-mainstream perspectives and access to and of public channels of communication. Suggested timing and mode: 5 minutes of group work with round up by facilitator

3. Reflexive questions: exposure to questions that refer to the individual. Note: these should not be discussed as a group activity until learners are familiar with the methodology or participants might feel they are too exposed or that they need to compete for legitimacy. Suggested timing and mode: 3 minutes of silent reflection

4. Group Dialogue Questions: exposure to questions that promote ‘critical literacy’ or formulation of questions (in an open enquiry). Suggested timing and mode: 30 minutes for discussion in small groups + 10 minutes in the whole group for a round of burning statements and questions

5. Responsible Choices: This is problem solving task which gives participants an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the enquiry process to a real-life or simulated situation of decision making. Suggested timing and mode: 20 minutes – group work

6. Debriefing: Participants are invited to reflect on their participation and learning (what they have learned about the topic, themselves, about others, about the space itself, and about the learning process). This is also a ‘closing the open space’ ritual. Suggested timing and mode: 10 minutes – whole group (facilitator invites individuals to say a word, a sentence, nothing at all or anything they want about their learning process and the quality and safety of the space)

General prcedures for secondary schools:

1. Looking at PERSPECTIVES: image, film, cartoon, song, story
2. Drawing or writing your FIRST THOUGHTS and sharing it
3. Making QUESTIONS in pairs
4. VOTING on a question
5. TALKING about it
6. SHARING what we have learned

 

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