1. Six Conversations in Support of Effective Collaboration

2. Collaboration Collaboration is a process anticipated by the IDEA in developing a student IEP. An essential characteristic of effective people in any team is their ability to engage successfully in critical and difficult conversation. The six conversations of this module series is designed to introduce you to key concepts, processes and skills essential to effective collaboration.

3. Collaboration and Conflict What is the purpose of collaboration in the pursuit of mutual purpose? Understand the dynamics of conflict. What are the barriers to collaboration? Collaboration is a process for supporting shared learning and decision making around complex issues and objectives. What are the essential elements of an effective process of collaboration?

4. Starting with Self: Preparation What is your style of engaging conflict? What are your current “ways of being” when engaging conflict? See conflict as a context for possibility. How can I prepare to engage effectively when I think conflict will surface in a meeting?

5. Listening for Understanding Listening is essential to support curiosity! Listening is more than something to do – it is a way of being. What are five critical reasons for listening? How can I attend and respond?

6. Sharing Your Perspective Can I create “safety” in a challenging conversation? What is the difference between facts and interpretation? What are some strategies for sharing my perspective in a way that makes it “easier” to hear. How can I loop back and listen to balance my advocacy with inquiry?

7. Exploring Issues to Understand Interests How does the question asked influence the conversation experienced? What is intentional inquiry? Why are the different kinds of questions needed? When can I practice generating powerful questions?

8. Solutions for Mutual Purpose What is the value of brainstorming? How specific should the plan be? Use “what if” thinking when drafting the plan? Who is going to do what when?....and how do we know it is happening?

9. Special Education Resolution Center Oklahoma State University 9726 E. 42 nd Street, Suite 203 Tulsa, OK 74146 888.267.0028 918.270.1849 http://serc.okstate.edu jo.pool@okstate.edu