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Advantages of doing discussions in the classroom

1. Participation adds interestIts hard to maintain students focus and attention when all they

hear is the professor talking. It helps to hear another voice as well as an answer or another

point of view.

2. Participation engages studentsA good question can pique their interest, make them

wonder why, get them to think, and motivate them to make connections with the content. This

benefit is magnified when teachers play a bit with the question, when they repeat it, write it on

the board, and dont call on the first hand they see.

3. Participation provides the teacher feedbackWhen students answer or try to explain,

teachers can see the extent of their understanding. They can correct (or help the students

correct) what the students havent got right or dont see quite clearly.

4. Participation provides the students feedbackWhen teachers ask questions or otherwise

seek student input over a topic, they are letting students know something about the

importance of certain ideas and information.5. Participation can be used to promote preparationIf an instructor regularly calls on

students and asks questions about assigned reading or whats in their notes from the previous

class session, that can get students (at least some of them) coming to class prepared.

6. Participation can be used to control whats happening in classIf a student is dozing off,

texting, quietly chatting, or otherwise not attending to whats happening, that student can be

called on or the student next to the offender can be asked to respond.

7. Participation can be used to balance whos contributing in class and how much In the

vast majority of cases, it is the teacher who selects the participant. If teachers will wait

patiently and not always select the same student, if they look expectantly to others and

confirm verbally and nonverbally the value of hearing from different people, they can influence

who speaks and how much. Participation even helps teachers control how much they talk.

8. Participation encourages dialogue among and between studentsStudents can be

asked to comment on what another student has said. A question can be asked and students

can be invited to discuss possible answers with each other before the public discussion.

9. Participation can be used to develop important speaking skillsIn many professional

contexts, people need to be able to speak up in a group. They may need to offer information,

ask questions, or argue for a different solution. People dont learn to speak up in a group by

reading about how to do itits one of those skills best developed with practice. And its one of

those skills that develops better with feedback. If participation is being used to teach students

this public communication skill, they will need feedback.

10. Participation gives students the opportunity to practice using the language of the

disciplineMost faculty have spoken astronomy, accounting, psychology, gerontology,

political science, whatever the field for years, and theyve forgotten how much of the language

is new, different, and difficult for students. Participation gives students the chance to practice

using a different vocabulary

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A Discussion Can Begin With The Following:

A broad, open-ended question to stimulate thought

A concrete common reference (text, film, demonstrations)

A specific problem to analyze

A controversial topic

Discussions are Enhanced if the Instructordoes the Following:

Allows students time to reflect and prepare in advance

Gives encouragement

Allows students time to think before answering and allows students to pause while answering

without interrupting

Addresses students by name

Takes the role of troubleshooter

Promotes openness, honesty, interaction and acceptance of other viewpoints

Draws on students skills and experiences Keeps the group on track

Encourages students to be specific by requesting examples and illustrations

Problem of Participation in Classroom

Discussion

Students sometimes don't participate during class discussions because they are afraid that their ideas

will not be respected. Sometimes students feel that they do not fully understand the course material;

therefore, they are afraid of saying the wrong thing during the discussion.

Watch the Students

Students may sit in the back of the classroom or appear distracted when they do not wishto participate in a class discussion. Some students appear to be paying attention, but theyhave a vacant expression on their faces.

Lack of Discussion

The class misses out on receiving input and a variety of ideas when members do notparticipate in the discussion. One or two students may tend to monopolize thediscussion, so few ideas are heard. When this happens, students miss out on theopportunity to debate, criticize and form their own opinions based on new information.

Stimulate Discussion

Educators should draw a variety of students into the discussion by prompting thestudents with pertinent questions and calling on them individually. Teachers shouldsupport a variety of ideas and make students understand that all ideas and contributionsare accepted.

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