OPV: Other People’s Views
Robert Hickey and Shaun Ferns
What is the idea?
Have students look at a topic/situation/scenario from Other People’s Views (OPV) as a way to engage and learn. This is a role-playing activity, which can enable learners to look at a situation or scenario through a different lens or viewpoint. It provides learners the opportunity to look at things in a unique and different way. It encourages them to focus their thinking by being placed into a different mindset. It prevents them from producing a reflex response and stimulates the thought process. Based on one of Dr. Edward de Bono’s (2006) thinking systems, ‘The Power of Perception’, this Active eLearning strategy has been adapted for use in managing a live/synchronous online classroom.
Why this idea?
This exercise is based on a set of activities designed to help focus the mind (De Bono, 1993). Direct Attention Thinking Tools (DATT) can be used in any situation to elicit thoughts and ideas from a person or group of people on any subject or topic. There are 10 tools in all (Table 1), and the Other People’s Views (OPV) is just one of these.
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Direct Attention Thinking Tools |
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C & S – Consequence & Sequel |
PMI – Plus, Minus, Interesting |
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RAD – Recognize, Analyze & Divide |
CAF – Consider All Factors |
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OPV – Other People’s Views |
APC – Alternatives, Possibilities & Choices |
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FIP – First Important Priorities |
KVI – Key Values Involved |
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AGO – Aims, Goals & Objectives |
DOCA – Decisions, Outcomes, Channels, Actions |
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Table 1. List of 10 DATT (de Bono, 1993) |
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Potential benefits:
- Can be used for any subject/topic
- Can be implemented on an ad hoc basis if required
- Can be used online during a live class
- It can also be used asynchronously
- Stimulates lateral thinking
- Allows for collaboration/group work
- Keeps learners actively engaged
How could others implement this idea?
This approach could be used in every discipline. However, it requires a bit of imagination, and with that there is no reason why this strategy cannot be utilised for any of your classes.
Step 1: Select your topic and identify the stakeholders
After choosing your topic, you need to decide who are the people that matter in this situation, e.g., client, supplier, supervisor, partner, children, boss, the public, maybe a variety of demographics. It depends on your actual topic, but the important thing is to identify all the major stakeholders (Figure 1).
Step 2: Realise your scenario
Based on your topic, select the learning outcomes for your lesson. Work backwards from the learning outcomes for this lesson to form your scenario. e.g., video production in digital media. Stakeholders would include the cameraperson, the editor, the sound person, the end user/viewer, the client, the employer etc. The scenario could include either a particular stage of the production process, or the planning or final cut of the piece being explored. Remember, the overall objective is to gain a more rounded unders