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Preparing for a discussion. Plan how you will conduct the discussion. Although the ideal discussion is spontaneous and unpredictable, you will want to do some careful planning. You should have a clear goal/objective for the discussion, a plan for how you will prepare the students, and a general idea about how you will guide the discussion (e.g ...
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Ask a question that inspires a productive conversation. The best questions are neither too open-ended nor too limited. "Yes or No" questions halt discussion, while overly broad questions (such as "What do you think about Romeo and Juliet?") questions also tend to discourage discussion. The best questions are balanced; they are open enough that there seem to be a few good answers, yet closed ...Be prepared. As the discussion leader, you should come into the meeting with several "big" questions. Be prepared to ask the next one when discussion dies down, when people need more food for thought. The more prepared you feel when you walk into a classroom, the more confident you'll look. If you look confident in your ideas and your approach, students will be more likely to respect you and ...Provide clear guidelines for participation. Everyone knows how to have a conversation; but a thoughtful discussion is more intentional and more focused than just a chat. If you want to start the conversation off on the right foot, then let the students know exactly what your expectations are. Should students raise their hand before speaking? Or should they speak freely without raising their ...Provide a shared frame of reference, such as a book, video, or other media. It's important for you and the students to have something you can all talk about before you begin the discussion. This can be almost anything: the assigned reading for that day's class, a news story or poem, a work of art, or even a natural object like a sunset. The important thing is that you and the students share a ...Maintain enthusiasm for the topic. One way to make sure that the discussion goes well is to show your enthusiasm for the subject right from the beginning. If you have engaged body language, are alert and energetic, and show how the topic is important to your life and the lives of the students, they'll be much more likely to be engaged. If they think that you're tired, apathetic, or just ...Keep a positive attitude. If discussing becomes difficult, remember anybody who can speak can learn in discussion and enjoy doing it. There are many classical middle schools, and even kindergartens, as well as discussion-based special education programs! Questions are motivating, and conversing is as natural as breathing, so if it gets hard, keep going! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0Give yourself at least 1 hour but keep in mind that the best discussions (those that generate new questions and open new vistas of knowledge) take 3 hours or so to develop and mature. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0Many people feel that open discussions between willing participants become vague nonsense. If you or the group begins to feel this, a good question to ask yourselves is, "Why does this matter?" Spend some time deciding which projects are worth pursuing, which aren't, then dive back in. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0Many people become emotional when their assumptions are questioned or their beliefs are refuted. You can expect some people to become angry or withdrawn. To minimize this, stick to statements such as "I think _____ because ____" rather than "you're wrong" unless someone is blatantly wrong. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 5Allow your discussion to wander from point to point. Tradition, experience, and the latest research tells us that a lecture, which appears to be more organized, is a neither as lasting nor as effective a way to learn. Stay with the process! Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 6- 430.5K
Oct 16, 2014 · 8. Slow down classroom discussions. Stopping to get evidence slows the speed of discussion, and that’s a good thing. “Most discussions move too quickly,” says Riley, “and great ideas get totally lost.”. Give students enough time to flip through and find just the right piece of evidence.
- Stories that are driven by character actions and motivation are the ones that inspire discussion. Texts that inspire questions encourage students t...
- Questions are the greatest tool you have to prompt and encourage student thinking. By starting with one overarching focus question like “Which brot...
- Require students to have evidence ready at the start of the discussion. Knol sets the expectation that her students will use textual evidence, and...
- Students may think that finding evidence is proof that there’s one right answer. But in discussion, says Riley, evidence will actually open up a te...
- Williams gives her students sentence starters to identify their evidence (e.g., “In the text … the author mentions …”). Then, she helps them make t...
- During discussion, send students back to the text for more evidence by prompting them to expand on a classmate’s idea or deepen the discussion. Pro...
- Stopping to get evidence slows the speed of discussion, and that’s a good thing. “Most discussions move too quickly,” says Riley, “and great ideas...
- “Just because there’s more than one right answer,” says Riley, “doesn’t mean there’s no wrong answer.” If a student offers up a misunderstanding or...
- Well-placed anchor charts are a reference for students and a tool that promotes great discussions. These 10 anchor charts will reinforce your stude...
- Quotes and ideas from the text (in blue) and the ideas that come from them (in orange) reinforce the idea that you have to find evidence and use it...
Oct 15, 2015 · a.k.a. Pyramid Discussion. Basic Structure: Students begin in pairs, responding to a discussion question only with a single partner. After each person has had a chance to share their ideas, the pair joins another pair, creating a group of four. Pairs share their ideas with the pair they just joined.
- Start lessons with an icebreaker or quick check-in. “This is a great way to get students to connect,” Dawson said, as these tactics build a sense of community and provide a more accessible entry point for students to share ideas.
- Communicate your expectations for participation and behavior. An important teacher expectation is the creation of a safe discussion environment. Dawson recommends establishing clear SEL-informed norms (or ground rules for discussion) that students help to brainstorm—such as asking for help when needed, listening with empathy to others’ ideas, and asking questions based on careful listening.
- Provide students with an agenda and a list of discussion questions ahead of time. While a discussion agenda might seem like a simple step, it’s one that makes students feel more comfortable and ready to engage, especially those who are hesitant to participate.
- Provide participation and discussion techniques. For students to make a meaningful contribution to a class discussion, “they have to have a good place to start,” Dawson told conference participants.
Apr 16, 2024 · As you prepare study or discussion questions, take a moment to ensure they map to your key learning goals. You may wish to: Frame initial discussion questions with some case, industry, or other relevant background to set the stage and point students toward the goals you have in mind. Look for areas of potential confusion.
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Jun 30, 2023 · Facilitating engaging and meaningful classroom discussions is a fundamental aspect of higher education teaching. Class discussions provide a valuable opportunity for students to actively participate, critically analyze ideas, and develop their communication skills. However, creating an environment that encourages open dialogue and fosters ...
