Fishbowl

Activity Summary

Students are asked to discuss a topic and to observe group- and communication dynamics.

Depending on the number of students in the room, divided into two or four circles, students in the inner circle debate the topic, while students in the outer circle observe and take notes.

Observers who want to take part in the discussion, can tap a student of the inner circle on the shoulder and exchange places with him/her.

Activity Plan

1

5 min

Introduction to the activity

Introduce the activity to students regarding:

  • dynamics and “rules of the game” (e.g., two circles, their respective functions, the tap on the shoulder to change places and intervene)
  • learning intentions
  • topic / problem / issue addressed

2

5 min

Classroom set-up and group creation

  • With the help of the students, create the two circles of chairs (the chairs in the inner circle should be arranged so that the students can face each other, and thus have their backs to the observers)
  • Divide the students into the two groups and start the activity

3

10-15 min

Conducting and facilitating the activity

If necessary, provide additional guidance and/or propose other insights to energize the discussion.

4

5 min

Conclusion: wrap-up and common result

Synthesize what emerged from the discussion in terms of content, connections between topics, fields of application, etc.

Tips & Tricks

  • It is helpful for students to come to the discussion well prepared in terms of content knowledge. Before the activity, you can guide and support students’ preparatory work:
    • by proposing questions for students to seek answers to
    • by presenting scenarios that present the issues to be addressed
    • by asking students to come to the discussion with a short paper that reports evidence and data to support an issue
    • by asking students to come up with a list of questions related to a specific issue they would like to discuss
  • Foresee the possible courses of development of the discussion and define its focus/goal, possibly including considering what guidance you might provide in case students digress or lose sight of the goal of the activity
  • If you deem it necessary, clearly explain (in addition to the “rules of the game”), the permitted modes of communication for the activity, so as to facilitate the creation of an environment that is respectful and tolerant of everyone’s opinions
  • The activity is carried out more easily and with better results in physical (not online synchronous) classroom settings

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Class, Group

Setup and materials

Create an outer and an inner circle with chairs.
Provide physical or digital material for note-taking.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Assertive communication
Understanding and listening
Peer negotiation
Critical thinking

Pillars insight

Creativity

The students practice finding useful arguments to advance one's ideas/point of view.

Co-creation

The students practice formulating an opinion that is shared by the whole group. This takes communication skills, engagement, empathizing and potentially compromising and hereby problem-solving skills. All skills necessary in co-creation practices. The students co-creates a synthesized and analyzed understanding of the topic through dialogue.

Well-being

The students practice learning to engage effectively with others (while respecting the group and people).

Print or download

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