The Challenge: Presenting both sides of an issue. You want the group to be aware of strong arguments on both sides, but not feel that you are skirting the issue by avoiding a definitive “correct” answer.
Some participants are uncomfortable when the trainer can’t provide a definitive correct answer. If there is no definitive answer, the trainer will still want to maintain credibility as a reliable source.
There are a number of different learning activities that will help the participants discover for themselves that there is no right or wrong answer.
Possible Approaches:
Provide a pre-test to have the participants identify which answer they initially favor.
Then:
Debate
Use a debate method after the participants research and are prepared to present the opposing sides of the issue;
Panel
Present a panel who can articulately represent both sides of the issue;
Case Study
Provide a case study for small group work that can be resolved in one of two ways-which the small groups will have to articulate and explain;
Video
Show a video with alternate endings that demonstrate the consequences of each of the two different sides of the issue;
Mock Court
Have the participants create a mock court- have the participants role play attorneys and present each side in front of other participants who serve as the jury.
Any of these learning activities will provide equal time to both sides of the issue.
Most importantly, these learning activities will also allow the participants to discover for themselves that there is no definitive “correct” answer. This will get you off the hook for that correct answer.
End with a post-test. Determine whether the participants have changed their minds because they recognized there is some validity to the other side of the issue.
If your trainers struggle with participant challenges they’re unsure how to handle, please book a call to discuss a tailored train-the-trainer program. https://laurelandassociates.com/contact/
