Discussion

Tool / technique:	Discussion
Purpose (goal):	Whole-class discussions can encourage students to learn from one another and to articulate course content in their own words. While generally not conducive to covering large amounts of content, the interactive dynamic of discussion can help students learn and motivate them to complete homework and to prepare for class. 1. LIGHTNING ROUNDS Just the name “lightning round” suggests energy. Make it even more dramatic by playing up the concept of speed, fun and excitement.  2. THROW THE BALL When you ask a discussion question, call on students by letting them catch a ball. With young children, you can use a beach ball and roll it to students in a circle. Older students can catch a beach ball or nerf football.  3. GROUP ANSWERS Two commonly used discussion techniques can be put together to allow a discussion that involves everybody at the same time. One is to form small groups of about three students. When the teacher asks a discussion question, every group has a small discussion of its own to come up with an answer. Questions of complexity work best with this method.  4. AGREEMENTS Keep each question going longer by engaging more students in the discussion. When the first student answers a question, ask another student if he or she agrees or disagrees with that answer. Then ask another student, and keep going until at least five students have participated in each question. 5. QUESTIONNAIRES A fun way to discuss famous people or fictional characters is to choose someone you are studying. Divide the class into groups of two or three, and have each group come up with three to five questions they would like to ask that person in an interview style. Initial Ideas Discussions Purposes/Goals.  ● To get students’ initial ideas and experiences on the table  ● To provide a supportive opportunity for students to make sense of what may not be fully formed ideas (either their own ideas or those of others).  ● Help students realize that there are gaps in our understanding to promote curiosity and what we could do next to figure something out.  ● NOT: a KWL, open brainstorm, quiz, consensus building When This Type of Discussion Is Useful  ● During anchoring phenomenon routine at the start of a unit  ● During the problematize phase of the launch of a new learning set  ● When we are thinking about how to plan an investigation.  ● Any time students are beginning the process of making sense of a phenomenon
Description / instruction:	The act of talking about something with another person or a group of people : a conversation about something. : a speech or piece of writing that gives information, ideas, opinions, etc., about something. Discussion is defined as talking or writing about something, especially in order to solve a problem or resolve a question. For example, it can: address gaps in students’ knowledge. allow students to discover and engage with a range of perspectives, ideas and backgrounds. assist students in clarifying their attitudes to and ideas about the subject matter, as they test their own ideas and attitudes against those of others.
Examples:	Below we discuss seven methods to help you to foster an environment where all students know what is expected of them and feel comfortable participating. – Plan Ahead. … – Learn Names. … – Set the Tone. … – Divide Your Class Into Groups. … – Have Students “Write In” Their Comments. … – Listen and Respond Appropriately. … – Debrief. … – Conclusion. – How to Write a Debate – Step One: A Strong Opening. Every good debate starts with a strong opening line.  – Step Two: Defining the Topic. After your opening you need to make the subject that you’re talking about crystal-clear to your listeners. … – Step Three: Signposting. … – Step Four: Rebuttal. … – Step Five: Your Arguments. … – Step Six: Conclusion. – What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic? – Health. … – Religion. … – Science/Environment. … – Sports. … – Technology. … – Do Your Research. … – Consider All the Angles. … – Know Your Audience.
Pros:	Specific Types of Large Group Discussions.
Cons:	Discussion method is not appropriate for all the topics. it can be used only to students who have some basic knowledge in the topic. some of the students may feel shy or reluctant to take part while others may try to domonate. teacher may lose control over the students and they may end up in quarelling. Students lose motivation to participate unless they perceive ‘value’ in the discussion. Requires consistent input from the teacher..
Tips:	Discussion Strategies Instructor-Designed Questions. Student-Designed Questions. 5-Minute Informal Writing in Response to a Question. “Stand Where I Stand” Debate. Informal Collaborative-Learning Groups. Think, Pair, Share. Think-Aloud Pair (Triad) Problem Solving (TAPPS) Group Dialogues (appropriate for classes up to ~25 students) Before Class Learn students’ names. During Discussion Every student should have an opportunity to speak. Evaluate information Avoid yes/no questions – Avoid asking, “Are there any questions?” Avoid dissertation questions. Dignify your students Avoid a style of questioning that is designed to punish inattentive or lazy students. Refer to your students by name. This models the intellectual community.
Sources / resources	www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › discussion www.yourdictionary.com › discussion www.openscied.org › wp-content › uploads › 2019/07 teachingcenter.wustl.edu › active-learning › discussions tltc.umd.edu › classroom-discussions https://www.openscied.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Handout-3-Discussion-Types-OpenSciEd-1.pdf teaching.unsw.edu.au › small-group-teaching sites.google.com › site › the-advantages-and-limitation-of.. teachingandlearning.westminster.ac.uk › 2014/10 › online.. www.scholarlyteacher.com › post › students-who-dont-pa… blog.prepscholar.com › good-persuasive-speech-topics