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Facilitating Effective Discussions - Coggle Diagram
Facilitating Effective Discussions
Starting
Refer to questions prepared
Ask the study questions you assigned
Ask group members which of the questions were most challenging
List key points
Identify & list important points from the reading
Use them as a starting point
Partner up
Ask students to prepare 3 or 4 questions prepared
Have students pair off and alternate asking and answering their questions.
Brainstorm
Ask students to contribute ideas related to the discussion topic
Write all ideas on the board
Critically evaluate all the ideas or categorize themes
Pose an opening question
Ask students to write down answers
This helps generate new ideas/questions
Ask for volunteers/call on students to share ideas
This gives quieter students the opportunity to prepare
Divide into smaller groups
Assign explicit questions & guidelines
Give the groups a time limit to complete them
Ask them to select a recorder and/or a reporter who will report back to the entire discussion group.
Organize an informal debate
Pose a controversial issue
Group students to the pro or con positions
Ask the groups to formulate 2-3 arguments/examples to support their position.
Write each group's statements on the board and use these as a starting point for discussion.
Evaluating
Ask students to write down a paper
Ask students to respond to specific questions about the discussion.
Conduct your own informal evaluation of the discussion.
Guiding
Keep discussion focused
Have a clear agenda for the discussion and list questions/issues
Repeat key points
Take notes
Jot down key points
Be alert
Prevent arguments
Remind students of the ground rules for discussion
Defuse arguments
Bring the discussion back on track.
Bring closure
Preparing
Get Meanings Across
Slow down when using big words/complicated phrases
Spell out key names
Urge students to do the same
Keep Minimal Noises
Have only one person speaking at a time
Identify Students
Ask students to state their name before they begin speaking
Use their name when responding to their question or point.
Set Time frame and Goals
Purpose of discussions:
Problem-posing
Questions of clarification
Extensions, applications or critique
Establish Rules
Ask students to:
Actively listen to their peers
Tolerate opposing viewpoints
Be open-minded.
Stay focused
Expressing themselves clearly.
Help Students Prepare
Distribute a list of questions for each discussion,
Ask students to bring in their own questions
Suggest key concepts or themes
Ask them to collect evidence that clarifies/refutes a concept/problem
Plan the Discussion
Have a clear goal/objective for the discussion
Plan for how you will prepare the students
Get a general idea about how you will guide the discussion (e.g., with activities, videos, questions, etc).
Encouraging Participation
Give opportunities to think/discuss
Students sometimes need to get it wrong, take risks, or try out different ideas to learn.
Facilitate small discussions first
Allow anonymous participation
Circulate note cards
Encourage students to ask questions in the learning management system
Use online resources &content management systems
Create inclusive environment
Use an icebreaker activity
Learn students' names
Arrange ideal seating
Have students write on whiteboards/large flipchart paper,
Positively reinforce contributions.
Limit own involement
Balance students' voices
Discourage students who monopolize the discussion
Draw quiet students into the discussion
Clarify confusing student contributions by asking the student to rephrase/explain
Examples on how to:
Give others a chance to speak:
Before you continue, (can I just say)…
Before you go on,…
Excuse the interruption, but…
Agreeing:
So do I.
Me too.
Absolutely.
I agree.
Give opinions:
I think that...
In my opinion...
I believe...
I would say...
From my perspective...
Disagreeing:
I disagree...
Actually...
I see what you’re saying but…
You have a point there but
Set aims:
We will be talking about...
I've called this meeting to...
Our main goal today is...
Set timetable:
I think we've spent enough time...
We're running short on time..., lets move on...
Sum up:
To summarise...
Invite others to contribute:
What do you think of...
What are your thoughts on...
how do you feel about...
What is your opinion on...