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30 min | Individual | Challenge Coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk Management

6hats

The Challenge

The activity is designed for students to be able to understand firsthand how taking some time to plan ahead saves you time in the process and helps you to visualize your goal and achieve it.

It starts with a small presentation of the concept in order to get a first idea on what a Gantt chart is and how it is filled. Then, the activity makes the students get involved with designing a GANTT chart, in teams, for a school event and an individual one for achieving one goal of their own and discuss their thoughts on the activity.

List of required equipment

  • PPT with Gantt description
  • GANTT handouts
  • Colorful markers

What can students learn from this?

This activity will help the students understand the importance of time management both for their academic/professional life as well as their personal/social one. With the guidance of the teacher, the Students will see how breaking down your goal in several activities and adjusting timelines will help with the coping with uncertainty and risks and diminish ambiguity of the process.

Furthermore, they will learn at an early age to use a tool, the Gantt chart, that will help them throughout their life, achieving personal and professional goals.

How can I do this in class?

  • The teacher explains the concept of Gantt chart to the students.
  • Divides them in teams of 4-5 people and asks them to develop a GANTT chart concerning the realization of a school event (a dance, a play, a charity event). The teacher should decide upon one that the students are likely to actually go through during the school year and on one that they want to introduce to the classroom. You may use different goals for each team.
  • Ask them to first write down all the activities that are needed for the activity to take place.
  • Hand them a handout with a blank Gantt and ask them to fill it in.
  • Once they are done each team presents their GANTT.
  • Then ask them to decide on one goal they have for their future (after finishing school) ie. academic, professional, personal etc.  and repeat the activity on their own.
  • Finally ask them to present the goal and timeline to the rest of the class.

Reflection tips

It is important to reflect after they have prepared their GANTT as this is how importance of time management and its role is in Coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risks of failure. Thus once they are over the teachers may ask the following questions:

  • Now that you have completed the GANTT chart is it more obvious to you how you should proceed to achieve your goal?
  • Do you think it is feasible? Why?
  • Have you thought of everything?
  • Does it seem less ambiguous now?
  • Can you repeat the process with other aspects and goals of your life?

Relevant useful material

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