True Class Participation

Few of our classes are lecture based. Instead, we focus on case studies and read chapters prior to attending class so we can spend actual class time discussing it. You may recognize this as "class participation." Well, this morning at 8:00 am I got a little surprise.

Our professor walked into class and announced this was our last LDO (Leadership in Dynamic Organizations) class for the module (we don't have semesters) and she would begin class with our surveys so we can spend the rest of class trying something a little different.

"Yes, here at Babson we take risks and today is my day to take a risk." She looked around the room mischieviously and continued, "Today is the day to turn class over to you, the students. So, Felicia and Matt, I would like you to be our co-facilitators for the next 2 hours."

And that was that. Without any time to prepare, Matt and I spent about 120 minutes leading our classmates through a discussion on our latest case study.

It was tough! Making sure everyone gets a chance to speak, trying to move the conversation in certain directions while not traveling down the wrong rabbit hole, deciding when the video should be shown (we had two, 5-minute videos), paraphrasing what some people said and getting the group to expand on it, etc.

Honestly, I did a horrible job, but it's something to learn from, right? So much for raising your hand a couple times in each class and thinking your job is done.