Discussion Techniques
One of the ultimate goals in education is to engage students in a discussion - of content, ideas, methods, what have you. It's no accident that a collegiate course of study typically begins with a survey course and ends with a discussion-centered seminar.
Discussions provide your students with an opportunity to think about the material on a higher level. They need to tackle controversy, consider multiple perspectives, and formulate an argument.
It prompts them to utilize higher order thinking skills, and it also gives them a chance to practice communication skills. In the work world, some of the content students learn in high school may be of little importance - but being able to listen actively and to speak clearly are invaluable skills.
The methods described in the "Discussion Techniques" section are intended to help you guide your students in discussions. Remember - these skills need to be learned and practiced, so don't expect everything to go perfectly well the first time.
Featured Method: Silent Discussions
Silent Discussions are a new take on an old idea. One problem with a typical discussion format is that it can be dominated by over-eager students - leaving the shy ones in the dust.
The Silent Discussion gives each student a chance to respond to the topic and individual prompts - in writing. A shy student can't be beaten to the punch by an attention hog, and a student won't have to be afraid to speak in front of the class.
This technique maximizes student participation and minimizes the inequalities typical of discussion participation. Check out the full article: Silent Discussions.
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