SYST 542: Discussion Moderator and Scribe
Each graduate student is required to moderate or take minutes for at least one class discussion.
The role of the moderator is to lead the class in a productive discussion
of the issue raised in the week's question. We will be collaboratively
developing an operational concept for the case study DSS we have selected
and laying out key elements of a preliminary design. The objective
each week will be to come to consensus on some aspect of our design. For
example, our objective the first week is to agree upon the stakeholders,
the decisions to be supported, how the DSS will be used, and our approach
to obtaining requirements.
Typically, the discussion leader will begin by presenting a brief summary
of the main ideas raised in the initial discussion. If there are disagreements
or issues that need clarification, these should be pointed out. Then
the discussion leader will engage the class in debating any issues on which
there is disagreement, trying to work toward consensus. An important
role for the moderator is to keep the discussion from wandering off-topic.
The moderator will also try to give everyone (including undergraduates)
a chance to speak. (The moderator, not the instructor, is leading the
discussion!) At the end of the discussion, the moderator will summarize
the key points covered during the discussion, summarize what has been agreed
upon, and state any remaining areas of disagreement.
The role of the scribe is to record the main points made during the
discussion, to note the key areas of agreement and disagreement, and to
post the notes after the discussion in the discussion section of WebCT.
These notes can then be used by students in formulating their
final responses to the discussion question.
The moderator and scribe will receive a grade worth one week's discussion.