In C-suites and boardrooms across the world, diversity and inclusion are rapidly evolving from buzzwords and promises to a reality.
Although these discussions may be focused on the company itself but it’s important to keep in mind that the decisions taken in these rooms affect everyone from the employees of the company, to shareholders who own the shares, to the greater economy. These meetings are extremely structured, and follow certain rules and protocols (such as Robert’s Rules of Order).
Boardrooms are usually designed to accommodate a small number of individuals, usually accommodating 8 to 20 people around a large central table that facilitates face-to-face discussion and helps to create a sense of unity. High-end furniture and technology like advanced audiovisual systems and teleconferencing, help to create the right atmosphere for productive collaboration.
Discussion boards are an effective method of engaging students in discussions that extend beyond the classroom, assisting students to understand how different perspectives are a part of the learning process in the classroom. To encourage student participation, instructors can start with icebreakers that help students become familiar with their classmates’ responses. For instance, Speer at Wichita State asks her students to introduce themselves using an emoji chain that explains their character and the things they enjoy. Students then read and reply to their peers’ answers. Students are encouraged to keep track of the whole discussion when you write a summary of an entire discussion and draw out the most important themes and ideas.
