Question or Topic: 

We would be interested in learning more about discussion techniques, it seems harder and harder to encourage larger group discussion. We also have some lessons where it would be interesting to make it into a discussion.

What:

Discussion methods are a variety of forums for open-ended, collaborative exchange of ideas among a teacher and students or among students for the purpose of furthering students' thinking, learning, problem solving, understanding, or literary appreciation. Participants present multiple points of view, respond to the ideas of others, and reflect on their own ideas in an effort to build their knowledge, understanding, or interpretation of the matter at hand.

Why:

It's not enough for students to simply pay attention -- they need to be active participants to generate one of those great discussions that end far too quickly for both the teacher and students. The worst types of discussions are serial one-on-one talk between a student and teacher, leaving the rest of the class out of the process. Many students stop listening, begin to fade or disengage during this flawed procedure.

Resources:

• Student Talk Flowchart and Protocols - Resources to help foster student talk in science (STEM Teaching Tools) [12 pages]

• Discussion Protocols that Engage All Students - Edutopia

• Science Talk Structures, Strategies, and Checklists - Adapted from Science & Literacy: A Natural Fit by Worth, Winokur, Crissman, Heller-Winokur and Davis, 2009.

Question or Topic: 

We would like to continue working on the discussion techniques shared with us previously. 

Questions/Shared Discussion:

• Take a few minutes to review the materials below

  • Be prepared to share a discussion technique (either one you have tried on your own or one that is like the ones below) with the group.

    • What worked about it?

    • Were there any challenges?

    • How did you deal with the challenges?

    • Does anyone have ideas on how the teacher might adapt or tweak the discussion strategy going forward based on the challenges mentioned?

  • Is there a technique or strategy below that you want to try/adapt in future?

  • Do you collect feedback from students about the discussions that they have implemented in the past?

What:

Discussion is important to learning in all disciplines because it helps students process information rather than simply receive it. Leading a discussion requires skills different from lecturing. The goal of a discussion is to get students to practice thinking about the course material. Your role becomes that of facilitator. You design and facilitate the discussion rather than convey information.

Why:

When a teacher effectively facilitates rich discussion in class, their students are more apt to build upon the existing knowledge frameworks they continue to develop, and achieve better learning outcomes. One study suggests that students prefer the intimacy of small group discussion over whole-group discussion (Fox-Cardamone et. al, 2002); instructors should consider group work and other activities that integrate both practices, and evaluate the preferences and needs of their specific classes.

How/Resources:

• How to Foster an Inquiry-Led Science Classroom - Edutopia

  • 3 part exchange (Tridactic Dialog)

• Encouraging Academic Conversations with Talk Moves - Edutopia

  • WatchVideo - talk moves

  • Print out - “crib sheet” 

  • Post-It Note (kids hold each other accountable) 

• A Protocol to Encourage Robust Classroom Discussions - Edutopia

  • Framework to find common ground

  • Write (>pair/share (expectations)> 

• Teaching Students to Have an Academic Discussion - Edutopia

• World Cafe Protocol 

Question or Topic: 

“Discussion techniques to use with our Friday Newsela Discussion Activities (We want to get more kids involved in sharing their thoughts).” 

What:

Discussion methods are a variety of forums for open-ended, collaborative exchange of ideas among a teacher and students or among students for the purpose of furthering students' thinking, learning, problem solving, understanding, or literary appreciation.

Why:

Discussion is important to learning in all disciplines because it helps students process information rather than simply receive it. Leading a discussion requires skills different from lecturing. 

How/Resources:

• The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies - Cult of Pedagogy

• Discussion Protocols that Engage All Students - Edutopia

• 12 Powerful Discussion Strategies to Engage Students - Reading and Writing Haven

• Discussion Protocols - Teaching and Learning Lab

• World Cafe Method Protocol - Directions