Why Cultivating Observational Skills are so important?

Cultivating Observational Skills through play

Workshop

Abstract

Observation is the basis of all knowledge: scientific, practical business or any other kind. The entire structure of knowledge rests upon the solid basis of observation. An individual striving for success, therefore, must begin by cultivating observational skills. As George Randolph Chester, a story teller, said: observation is the faculty upon which both creation and imagination are built.
As we go about performing our work we must know things about our occupation which is acquired only through investigation, enquiry and observation. One can obtain much needed information from books, blogs, magazines etc but that is only valuable when it is supplemented by individual observation. Other sources only give us account of someone else’s experience and observation.
The workshop discusses the importance of essential factors and general rules for efficient observation, explores observation skills through quizzes and games to cultivate observation skills. It introduces categories of observations along the lines of purpose to discover “whatness” and “workability” of things. Two types of games related to rapid sight and comprehensive sight observation are planned. How fun games such as ancient Italian hand game of Morra and game of cards can help in building rapid and comprehensive observation skills are introduced? A hint of Italian phrases are added to spice the workshop

Audience background

No Previous Experience TRequired

Benefits of participating

Learn how everyday objects and games can be used to build observation skills

Materials provided

Slide projector and flipchart

Process

Quizzes and games are played individually and in groups of 2-4
Game of Morra requires pairing
Game of cards played individually and in a group of 3-4

Detailed timetable

10 min: Part 1 Introduction
20 min Quizzes
5 min Introduction to Rapid Sight Observation
30min: Game of Morra (Preparation and play)
10min: Retrospectives Part 1
Break
10 min: Part 2 Introduction Comprehensive Observation
25 min: Card Game 1
25 min: Card Game 2
5 min: Ways of building Observation Skills
10 min: Wrap up and Retrospectives Parts 1&2

Outputs

A list of retrospectives can be written on a flipchart. It is mostly fun session

History

Agile Testing Days Germany (2013,2016)
Agile Alliance 2016
SPA 2015

Presenters

  1. Mohinder Khosla
    Retired