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Facilitating Effective Discussions - Coggle Diagram
Facilitating Effective Discussions
Preparing for a discussion
Plan on how to conduct the discussion.
Always remember that in the modern classroom, there are many ways to be "present" and to "participate."
Establish ground rules for participation in a discussion.
Ask students to state their name before they begin speaking
Help students prepare for the discussion.
Keep background noise to a minimum
Clearly communicate how much time you have for questions or discussion, and what you are looking for from this time.
Be ready and willing to work with sign interpreters or CART interpreters during question and discussion periods.
Starting a discussion
Use a partner activity
Use a brainstorming activity
Make a list of key points
Pose an opening question and give students a few minutes to record an answer
Refer to questions you distributed
Divide students into small groups to discuss a specific question or issue
Pose a controversial issue and organize an informal debate
Encouraging student participation
Use online resources and content management systems to extend class discussions.
Have students take turns writing down questions and answers on whiteboards or on large flipchart paper
Facilitate smaller activities before discussion and questions start, so that students have time and space to compose their thoughts.
Positively reinforce student contributions
Facilitate smaller discussions among students before you ask students to share with the entire class.
Use a "token system" to encourage discussion
Give students low-stakes opportunities to think and discuss content
Silence in the classroom is okay
Allow students to ask questions or share ideas in class anonymously, or without "speaking out"
Limit your own involvement
Create an inclusive discussion environment
Balance students' voices during the discussion.
Guiding the discussion
If students are having trouble communicating, avoid making remarks such as: “Slow down,” “Take a breath,” or “Relax.”
Prevent the discussion from deteriorating into a heated argument
Be alert for signs that the discussion is deteriorating
Take notes
Bring closure to the discussion
Repeat the key point of all comments
Remember that not all students are comfortable with extended direct eye contact.
Keep the discussion focused.
Evaluating the discussion
Conduct your own informal evaluation of the discussion
Ask students to respond to specific questions about the discussion
Ask students to write a one-minute paper