Leading a Discussion
- Discussion is extremely important for class as well, I found. But all students
have different ways of participating. I do have a discussion about the importance
of discussion in the beginning. I try to put discussion in context of how
it's an important skill to have especially later in the work and how this
is a good time to practice. I give them some ideas and techniques of how they
might prepare for discussion if they are nervous. I try to address basic feelings
and try to make it a safe environment for them to share their views. I find
giving context to whatever I'm talking about helps them see why something
is important and it allows them to participate more responsibly in their own
education and interactions. I feel like teachers sometimes don't share their
view of why something is important in the class. Students just focus on having
to do it, rather than why they are doing it and what they can learn from it.
Helping students see a teacher's plan and scope and goals for the class, even
particular exercises and readings helps I think. Teaching is a learning process as well.
- Some concerns for discussion leaders are - How do I make students talk?
How can you trigger interesting discussion? How do you orchestrate discussion?
How do you deal with political correctness? How do you deal with students
who are inconsiderate, late etc.? How do you deal with students who talk too
much, take up too much space in a discussion?
- Being an effective listener as opposed to an active talker is generally more beneficial in the short and long term.
Address questions or comments about
TEP or this site to:
Georgeanne Cooper, Program Director,
64 PLC
Phone: 541-346-2177 Fax: 541-346-2184
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Last Modified:
05/22/08
