Liberating Structures
15% solutions
Discover and focus on what each person has the freedom and resources to do now.
Click on the CC icon in the bottom right corner of the video to turn on closed captions.

With Maha Bali, Jasmina Najjar
Educator prep: None
Student prep: None
Synchronous or Asynchronous
Breakout rooms, Shared online space, Cameras off option
Duration: 5-30 mins
Activity purpose
“Discover and Focus on What Each Person Has the Freedom and Resources to Do Now” as described here: http://www.liberatingstructures.com/7-15-solutions/
Useful for
Helping students (or teachers) see small changes within their reach to improve something they care about.
Preparation
Minimal - just a space for people to take notes such as Google docs or Google slides.
Instructions
- Tell participants the exercise is to ask themselves, in response to a particular context and prompt the teacher gives, “What is your 15 percent solution? Where do you have discretion and freedom to act? What can you do without more resources or authority?”
- Give participants some time (5-10 minutes to write these down).
- In pairs or small groups, invite participants to share their 15% solutions.
- If you have time, you can invite participants to give consultations to one another as well.
Duration
15-20 minutes depending on group sizes and whether you include the consultation.
Technical requirements
- Shared slide deck or any other note-taking.
- Breakout rooms or done asynchronously in small groups.
Useful resources
Liberating Structures page on 15% Solutions: http://www.liberatingstructures.com/7-15-solutions/
More 'Liberating Structures' activities: