Information, Education and Communication: The Panel


The Panel:

A group of four or more persons who have special knowledge of the topic sit at a table in front of the audience and hold an orderly and logical conversation on the assigned topic.

  1. The panel sets up an audience (the panel) within an audience (the listening members) and fuses the two groups into a single reflective unit.
  2. The panel members discuss the problem.
  3. After thirty or forty minutes, the chairman restates the ideas of the panel and opens discussion to all for spontaneous questioning and brief comment for twenty to thirty minutes.
  4. The Chairman interprets the collective sense of the panel and audience and adjourns the conference.


Characteristics:

  1. The atmosphere can be informal or formal.
  2. Limited control of the scope and direction of discussion can be maintained by prior discussion among the panelists, defining the discussion frame work to the audience just before introduction of the panel, or by the activities of the moderator.
  3. There can be no complete control by the moderator since the panel members can ignore questions and directions.
  4. It can expose and focus on different points of view, different facts, and different attitudes on a subject-problem
  5. It allows for maximum interaction and inter stimulation between panel members.
  6. It often increases the interest of an audience in the subject because of the active and dramatic presentation of the subject matter, difference of opinion, competition etc.
  7. It is a useful method of defining points of agreement, areas of disagreement, and of approaching consensus.
  8. It divides responsibility by requiring some pre-meeting thought and fact gathering from individual panel members.


Advantages:

  1. To present the subject matter actively and dramatically.
  2. To create an informal atmosphere for communication with the group.
  3. To identify the problem or issues to be considered and to explore them.
  4. To give the audience an understanding of the component parts of the problem.
  5. To get different facts and points of view brought into a discussion framework.
  6. To weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a course or courses of action.


Limitations:

  1. No opportunity for consideration of all opinions and facts.
  2. Moderator may fail to give a complete and accurate summery.


How to conduct the Panel Discussion:

  1. Physical conditions:
    1. The room should be of the right size to accommodate all comfortably and should not be too large.
    2. The panel members should sit in a U formation with the Chairman in the middle so that all members can see on another.
    3. The audience should be grouped about so that everyone can see everyone else.
    4. The panel table should preferably be on the same floor level as the audience.
  2. The number of speakers on the panel should be limited to six or seven, not fewer than four.
  3. The size of the audience:
    1. Is dependent on the type of audience and on the physical setting.
    2. Is usually limited to those especially interested in the topic.
  4. The length of the programme is dependent upon interest and topic. The longer the meeting, the more informative the discussion should be.
  5. The question for discussion should be interesting and limited enough so that it is possible for the group to progress toward A solution.


Functions of the Chairman-leader:

  1. To establish an esprit-de-corps between panel members and between panel and audience.
  2. To know his fellow counselors.
  3. To have a complete and flexible outline of the discussion.
  4. To see that reflective thinking is enforced.
  5. To see that each proposed solution is given a full bearing.
  6. To see that the discussion is a panel rather than a debate or symposium.
  7. To see that the larger audience is not neglected and that it is brought skillfully into the area of group thinking


Functions of Panel members:

  • To know the subject under discussion.
  • To know the difference between discussion methods.
  • To refrain from ill-timed rival among themselves.
  • To refrain from derogation of opposing ideas and personalities.
  • To treat the subject with objectivity.
  • To conduct themselves with poise and good nature.
  • To be able to insert facts when needed and requested.
  • To time their remarks.
  • To answer questions from the floor completely, yet briefly
  • To summarize their own remarks.
  • To speak clearly, patiently, and courteously.

    Functions of the audience:

  • The audience should know panel techniques.
  • They should have:
    1. A knowledge of the problem.
    2. Some idea of the issues involved.
    3. A pattern of analysis and solution.
    4. Respect for the opinions of others.
    5. A conversational delivery, brief and clear.
    6. A sense of humor.
    7. Co operative devices of questioning.
    8. Recognition and appreciation of others.