In class we watched a video called, “The Walk from No to Yes,” that featured a concept developed by William Ury. His concept was the idea of using the “third side” when resolving concepts. It is a relatively simple concept that involves introducing a third person into a conflict to provide perspective and insights to the parties involved. He wanted to use this concept to move from hostility to hospitality, and terrorism to tourism. Ury applies this concept to worldwide conflicts. To me this seems like a very simple concept that might not have a larger effect on worldwide conflicts, but I think the third side concept could be applied in some classroom situations.
I think that the third side would have its greatest effect in elementary school grades. As a teacher, you are the perfect third side; a neutral mediator in any conflict that occurs in your classroom. You can use this position to provide your students with perspective on different situations and conflicts. If you wanted to add an extra dimension of learning and responsibility for your students, you could allow the students to take on the role of the third side. It would have to be a learned process, not a situation you could just throw your students in and expect them to successfully mediate any conflict. But if you could integrate the concept into your teaching, I think that the students may eventually be able to take on the role for themselves and apply it in their lives.
I think that the third eye is an important concept for anyone to keep in mind because maintaining perspective on a situation or conflict can be useful in coming to a resolution. Also, I think that introducing someone who is neutral to a conflict can help the parties involved gain the perspective that they need to come to a resolution. This is why I think that the concept would be useful in many different situations; the classroom, the workplace, and the family.
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