Method 1: Let's weave a synthesis (Weaving a synthesis)

(Creating an overall view through dialogue, Weaving a synthesis, dialogue scene 41 or in English 23)

The goal is that the participants form a synthesis (an overall view of their understanding as it is at the moment) of some matter that they are aiming to learn. The objective is to weave a synthesis so that it includes every participant’s thinking and is therefore a result of the participants' common thinking.

Remember to consciously observe whether your actions and behaviour follow the principles of philanthropy and reciprocity!

Instructions

• the participants create an overall view of a certain sufficiently concrete matter that they are aiming to learn
• the participants interlace ”threads” that they have introduced into the dialogue and thus weave these threads into tightly woven overall views that combine every participant's thinking
• the ”threads” used in weaving a synthesis are key utterances or so-called hot words or hot speech distinguished in other participants' speech
• therefore, a synthesis includes thinking that is authentic and under development and that has been produced by all participants in the group
• during this phase, the participants gather materials for the weaving of the synthesis
• symmetric participation, word-for-word listening, compact expression and recognising and opening key utterances are all necessary for the synthesis to include thinking from every participant in the group
• the participants evaluate the materials they have gathered and together they create an overall view that represents their understanding of the topic at the moment and write it down or describe it on a paper, or by using a computer etc.
• time reserved for this task depends on how challenging the matter to be learned is
• the task can be further elaborated if, for example, members of one group use open questions to find out more about the thinking behind the synthesis woven by another group

Reflection in the learning community: The whole group jointly reflects upon their experiences of the method and thinking that it caused. One useful question for this reflection is, ”How did weaving a synthesis support your learning?” The purpose of the reflection is that several participants, not only some, share their thinking and experiences. When the reflection part is completed, every participant has gained an understanding of an overall view of a certain matter at the moment and of creating new understanding.