>Users:   login   |  register       > email     > people    


But What Did You Actually See and Hear?
By Joe Bouchard
Published: 08/31/2015

Eye magnigyingglass
The following is an installment in "The Bouchard 101", a series featuring "Ice Breaker's" designed to promote training awareness and capabilities in the corrections industry.

Years ago, I incorporated a diversion-based icebreaker/exercise to my regular line up for my Introduction to Corrections Class for Gogebic Community College. It is a memorable exercise and with a little preparation, it can serve as an important lesson for pre-professionals. It will definitely take novices out of their zones of comfort.

I would start in the very first day of a new semester by distributing a test. I usually hand out a general questionnaire about opinions on punishment and corrections. The contents of the tests are not necessarily important. In fact, the tests should be general and not too difficult. The test serves as the diversion.
  1. Distribute the test and tell students to answer in their own opinion. Explain that this is a test to gauge their feelings about corrections and court issues before they receive instruction. Later in the semester, they can reflect on their answers and see if they modified as the class progressed.
  2. Two people in class know this is a ruse. They are the instructor and the plant in the students. My plant in the class was usually my wife. She blends in well with the class and quietly awaits for her part.
  3. Prior, the plant is instructed to wait a minute or two to ask about question 13. When the plant sees that most are busy, she raises her hand and asks for clarification.
  4. The instructor feigns impatience and says something rude and condescending like, “Is English a second language for you?” The instructor says this to the plant while standing within arm’s reach.
  5. As instructed earlier, the plant would quickly stand up, yell “Jerk” or something stronger, and push the instructor.
  6. The instructor will stumble back, careful not to contact anyone else, and watch the heads of the class swivel.
  7. The instructor then says, “Turn your tests over and write down exactly what you OBSERVED and HEARD. This is a simulated confrontation – it is not real. Again, report only what you saw and heard. Do not make assumptions. Do not fill in blanks with conjecture.”
  8. In effect, this is the first misconduct report that they will write. After a minute or so, let your plant take a bow and lead a discussion on what was directly observed. Not differences in location, timing, and details.
  9. Apologize to the class for the ruse but explain that things can happen in an instant in corrections.
Acting ability and believability may impact the effectiveness of the exercise. In fact, if you are too believable, this may compromise student/instructor trust.

After the first time I tried this exercise, one student was very mad at me. Rather than writing her direct observations, she crafted an editorial about how disrespectful I was to the student. I had to explain (again) that the person who I condescended was a plant and that the words I used were mutually agreed upon by both parties. Without a feigned provocation, the “assault” from the student would have been less believable. In a week or two, the student told me that she understood and appreciated the exercise.

In corrections, often the ultimate question is: What did you see and hear? This is an exercise that can help students develop a vigilance and hone a mind for little details. Their future vocational life may depend on it.

Joe Bouchard is a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections and a collaborator with The International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP). He is also the author of “IACTP’s Corrections Icebreakers: The Bouchard 101, 2014”. The installments in this series include his opinions. The agency for which he works is not in any way responsible for the content or accuracy of this material, and the views are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the agency. While some material is influenced by other works, all of the icebreakers have been developed by Joe Bouchard.

Visit the Joe Bouchard page

Other articles by Bouchard:


Comments:

  1. Rani on 04/10/2020:

    I am thankful to you for sharing this plethora of useful information. I found this resource utmost beneficial for me. Thanks a lot for hard work. https://www.digitekprinting.com/architectural-drawings

  2. darrendemers12 on 04/03/2020:

    I would start in the very first day of a new semester by distributing a test. I usually hand out a general questionnaire about opinions on punishment and corrections. The contents of the tests are not necessarily important. In fact, the tests should be general and not too difficult. The test serves as the diversion. bedding sets , comforters on sale , gul ahmed bed sheets 2019 , bridal bed sheet design , bed spread sets , cotton mattress price , blanket online , vicky razai set , fitted sofa covers , lawn cotton suits

  3. azizthecamelman on 03/09/2020:

    Very helpful article Travel agency in Morocco Travel advisory for Morocco Morocco private desert tours Morocco travel blog

  4. Adan Schimmel on 12/31/2019:

    This is some thing very informative and point to point. There is no round and round in this article. Like this smplicity . This clears my old point of view. THANKS salon de fiestas en cancun

  5. Adan Schimmel on 12/28/2019:

    You finished a couple fine focuses there. I did an inquiry on the subject and discovered almost all persons will oblige with your online journal. Midwood Condo

  6. Adan Schimmel on 12/28/2019:

    You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you Royal Green

  7. Adan Schimmel on 12/25/2019:

    Telangana, the upcoming TSPSC Notification is TSPSC Group 4 Notification 2020 which is releasing for Telangana Group 4 Jobs List like Junior Assistant, Junior Steno, Typist. Check the info of that Telangana Group 4 Recruitment at our page. Candidates can use the TSPSC Group 4 Apply Online links through TSPSC OTPR. TSPSC Group 4 Application Links will available at the official website tspsc.gov.in. The Telangana Group IV Notification 2020 Online Form dates have to schedule soon by the Telangana State Public Service Commission.

  8. Notun Sokaal on 12/19/2019:

    Exam Result 2019 Today we will discuss about some results in 2019. Do you know how to check those results easily? If you want then read this comment. somaponi result 2019 is going to publish on this month. for Bangladeshi Students is going to publish. This post helps you downloading somaponi result 2019 marksheet. We also provide you education board jsc result 2019. There is a great opportunity for you to get this I think this links help you to get some important results. Now in Bangladesh a hot topic is running and this is junior school certificate result 2019. So stay with us for more information like this. Courtesy goes to new exam result Do you know how to check those results easily like pdc result 2019

  9. beparij on 12/10/2019:

    PSC Result 2019 is a major issue in Bangladesh A few lakh examinees have now participated in the PSC examination. They are all waiting for a test result Those are the only PSCs waiting for the results. Other members of their family are also eagerly awaiting.

  10. Adan Schimmel on 12/02/2019:

    Bihar School Education Board (BSEB) has released the class 12th sample/model question papers for board exam 2020. Model question papers of all subjects of class 12 are released online to give students an overview of the Bihar Board Class 12 examination pattern for 2020 board exams Matric Model Paper

  11. Adan Schimmel on 11/20/2019:

    Making money is in this century has never been easier, from easy access to the stock market and new banking schemes, all you need is a capital and scaffoldresearch.com. We all know the industry is never going to dry, and is only going to improve, so pack up your bags and mark you calenders for vacations.

  12. Adan Schimmel on 11/12/2019:

    We love to work hard so that our customers can continually access the latest tools and features. Reviews at https://de.altopdf.com/faq. Grateful customers are our greatest reward. My experience with the website is more than ideal to experience, never disaapointed.

  13. bekent on 09/12/2019:

    Halki diabetes treatment is an powerful manner to clear up your hassle all the time and you can do it without the use of insulin injections or antihypertensive tablets, with out dangerous treatments and without halki diabetes remedy how to reverse diabetes naturally eric whitfield changing your lifestyles. It stabilizes blood sugar accurately in only three weeks, so that you can enjoy the colourful health and actual electricity which you by no means dreamed about. It does now not rely upon the risky pharmacological treatment or dangerous and needless gastric skip surgical operation, both of which are unable to remedy the reasons. Halki diabetes treatment is a completely natural, danger-free and effective solution that can permanently remove the purpose of diabetes. This helps to go back the regular health by using detoxifying the frame from the inner, which permits the frame to gets rid of the acids that damage cells to paintings correctly and constantly. Bonus halki diabetes remedy program reviews relaxed thoughts, healthful body the power multiplier achieve your desires

  14. Andshoughter76 on 04/23/2019:

    This article took me to a division where I see things change in front of me when I corporately see things with the vision you gave me. You need to find it here very helpful info for the all level of students. The briefing of this article is great and I have to admit that my mind is somehow changed and my thinking power is now increased. All thanks to you for writing such marvelous article.


Login to let us know what you think

User Name:   

Password:       


Forgot password?





correctsource logo




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of The Corrections Connection User Agreement
The Corrections Connection ©. Copyright 1996 - 2024 © . All Rights Reserved | 15 Mill Wharf Plaza Scituate Mass. 02066 (617) 471 4445 Fax: (617) 608 9015