Outsider
Suitable for Step 1, 2, 3
Duration
30 minutes
Material Needed
Sheets of paper or blackboard and chalk
Group size
Pairs, up to 30
Objective
To enhance the learners’ reasoning ability and the ability to present logical arguments.
Description
Arrange lines of three or four words connected to the chosen topic, such as cotton or potato.
For example:
- potato
- tomato
- soil
- hoe
- jeans
- shirt
- yarn
- indigo
The learners have to exclude one word per line and justify their decision.
As you try it yourself, you will quickly recognize that a case can be made to remove any of the items.
For example,
- One can eliminate “indigo” since it is the only item not made of cotton
- One can eliminate “jeans” saying one might produce a shirt dyed with indigo
The idea is to train the mind to think in a divergent way and develop and articulate arguments. The game also shows that there is not only one correct answer, and that different possibilities are open for discussion.
Contribution to Systems Thinking competence
Learning by moving helps learners understand the dynamics within a system better.
This learning method helps to train the mind to think in a divergent way and develop and articulate arguments. The game also shows that there is not only one correct answer, and that different possibilities are open for discussion.
Divergent thinking, being open to new possibilities, and be on the lookout to discern connections between different elements aids systems thinking.
