A workshop “Book Dialogue,” part of the ToTAL course Fundamental Group Work for Leadership, was held on January 13, 2026.
| Facilitator | Kies (ToTAL student) |
| Date and Time | Thursday, January 13, 2026, 18:00–20:30 |
| Venue | J3-309B, J3 Building, Suzukakedai Campus |
Overview
The aim of this workshop is to deepen understanding of a book in a short time using a reading method called ABD (Active Book Dialogue). ABD consists of three steps “co-summarize, presentation relay, and dialogue”, and it helps participants deepen their understanding through collaboration and discussion. In this workshop, we used the book “CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS” and discussed its content.
Activity 1: Check-in, Introduction of the book, and Assignment
At first, participants introduced themselves and shared their feelings for the workshop. Then, facilitator explained an overview of the book, and each participant was assigned a specific section to read.
Activity 2: Reading and Preparation of presentation materials
Next, each participant read their assigned section and created a summary by paper. Since the time was limited, they needed to identify key points of the contents and organize the information clearly for others. It required not only reading but also the ability to understand the structure of the content and present it visually.
Activity 3: Presentation Relay
Then, participants presented their summaries in a relay format, with each person speaking for about 2–3 minutes. This method allowed them to understand the entire content of the book in a short time. It also helped participants understand sections they had not read.
Activity 4: Dialogue
After the presentations, participants discussed the content. Discussions focused on questions such as how to manage difficult conversations, how to balance emotions and logic, and how to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations. Through exchanging feelings or opinions, participants gained a deeper understanding and could see it from different perspectives.
Activity 5: Check-out
Finally, participants shared their reflections and findings. Many students said that they were able to understand the book efficiently and gain new perspectives through discussion.
Reflections
Through Book Dialogue, I strongly felt the effectiveness of the ABD method. Through the three steps “co-summarizing, presentation relay, and dialogue”, I was able to achieve a deeper understanding in a shorter time compared to reading alone. In addition, organizing key points quickly and explaining them to others helped improve my ability to organize the contents and presentation skills. In especially, by reading with the intention of explaining to others, I significantly enhanced the quality of understanding.
Additional Note
I participated as an observer. I was impressed by how participants could read, summarize, present, and discuss the book effectively in a limited time. Especially during the summarizing phase, participants seemed to deepen their understanding by organizing the contents. I highly recommend this workshop to those who want to read books efficiently, discuss ideas with others, or improve their presentation and communication skills.
Written by:
Yuta Murao, D2, School of Life Science and Technology, ToTAL 6th cohort
