OPV (Other People’s Views) Skills

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  Managing Information
  
• 
  Working with Others
  
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  Thinking, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making
  

This method encourages pupils to view the other person’s/opposing point of view on a particular issue or topic. Pupils think about how sharing opinions can help to gain new perspectives on factors, consequences and objectives that underpin the issue in question. Pupils think about how a particular point of view might be relevant for the person holding it, but how it should not be imposed on others. See the Consider All Factors activity for ideas on collating a list of comprehensive factors affecting an issue.

If used in conjunction with a carousel activity, pupils might need to rotate in groups to different desks in a room. Alternatively, pupils could remain seated and pass a flip chart sheet to the group beside them after the allocated time.

1. 
   The facilitator should discuss with pupils the importance of involving other people in decision-making and problem-solving activities. People’s different backgrounds, interests, understanding and values can enrich and broaden the perspectives of individuals and pupils can gain an insight into the varying perspectives within a topic.
   

2. 
   Pupils move around the class asking for opinions and noting them on a page. Once they have five differing opinions, pupils summarise the opinions at the bottom of the page and say which one they most agree with and why.
   

A lawyer is defending a youth in court who is accused by his next-door neighbour of breaking the window of his car. The youth is also accused of terrorising the neighbourhood – throwing stones at windows, jumping on cars, bullying younger children. Decide the different viewpoints which may exist in this scenario and who might hold them.

3. 
   Once completed, pupils might rotate in groups and view the factors which other groups have noted. They may wish to use the ‘Two Stars and a Wish’ strategy as a means of peer assessment.
   

3. 
   Pupils could then be given time to modify or add to their original opinions based on what other groups have written on their sheets.
   

3. 
   A debrief afterwards to bring together all factors as a whole group might be beneficial.
   

3. 
   Further simulation activities such as Conscience Alley and Hassle Lines might be employed at this point to develop certain opinions further and to encourage pupils to articulate particular viewpoints.