IDEAS

Idea 1: Creating a collaborative definition of success

Why is it important?

The notion of success is especially interesting to dissect and discuss as it varies not only through different cultures, but also within a single culture. By allowing students to collaborate on a definition that they feel encompasses the experiences of each individual, they are able to speak on the topic with more understanding and respect towards definitions of success (and other subsequent values) that may be expressed differently than they are used to.

Instructions

• Seat students in pairs
• Have each student write their own individual responses to the following questions
• How do you define success?
• How have your life experiences shaped your attitude regarding what constitutes as success?
• What three names are at the top of your list of successful people? For each person, explain why you included them.
• Have students share their responses with their partners
• As a class, ask all students to examine their lists of successful people. Are there any traits that seem to distinguish most or all of the people on their lists? Record these traits on the board.

Advantages

• Can break the ice for students in a way that does not feel too personal for a classroom setting.
• Students feel a sense of ownership over collected list of traits.
• Encourages acceptance, collaboration, and cooperation in regards to different opinions and definitions of broad ideas.
• Enforces that there are no right or wrong answers when defining key concepts because they can often be interpreted in many different ways.

Adapted from:
Bucher, R. (2004) Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities.