Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. William Ellery Channing 1780 - 1842 American clergyman

Cooperative learning series

Conflict resolution

One way to peacefully resolve conflict is for each side

• to come together voluntarily
• to work cooperatively on the issues
  under the guidance of a trained facilitator

Conflict resolution should be a voluntary process that

• reflects the school's values if applied throughout the school
• is modeled and joined by teachers, administrators, and staff
• will fail if perceived as a process for students only

This process should be under the guidance of a trained facilitator.
Bring the conflicted parties together in a private location, and:

• Gather information: identify key issues without making accusations
• Focus on what the issues are, not who did what
• Avoid accusations, finding fault, calling names

Case study:: conflict resolution

Each party

• states their position and how it has affected them;
  others listen attentively and respectfully without interruption
• Each in turn repeats or describes as best they can
  the other's position to the listener's satisfaction
  (c.f. Franklin Covey's fifth habit "Seek first to understand, then to be understood")
• Each tries to view the issue from other points of view beside the two conflicting ones
• The group collectively brain storms to find the middle ground, a point of balance, creative solutions, etc.
• Ech then volunteers what he or she can do to resolve the conflict or solve the problem

At the conclusion:

• A formal agreement is drawn with agreed-upon actions for both parties;
• A procedure is identified should disagreement arise
• Progress is monitored
• Progress rewarded or celebrated

Each party in collaborative conflict resolution
should feel empowered to speak their mind, feel listened to, and feel they are a critical part of the solution. So also, each is obligated to respect and listen to others, try to understand their point of view; and actively work toward a mutual decision.

If the conflict cannot be resolved in this manner,
mediation by a third, neutral party (as in peer mediation); or
arbitration (enforced resolution by a neutral authority) are options

Education is an excellent setting
to learn problem solving and conflict resolution strategies.

Whether the conflict is a classroom real-life simulation exercise or an on-going emotional experience, resolving issues and collaboratively working through responses and solutions will teach you skills that can be applied in other settings. It can help you:

• accept differences
• recognize mutual interests
• improve persuasion skills
• improve listening skills
• break the re-active cycle or routine
• learn to disagree without animosity
• build confidence in recognizing win-win solutions
• recognize/admit to/process anger and other emotions
• solve problems!

Cooperative learning series

Collaborative learning | Group projects | Active Listening |
Conflict resolution | Case study: conflict resolution | Peer mediation |
Tutoring guidelines | Using feedback with tutors