Here are common some ways to structure discussions, with pros and cons for each. Sometimes the best results come from combining more than one in a Think-Pair-Share sequence. (Think = Private Brainstorm, Pair = Pair or Small Group Discussion, Share = "Popcorn" Style or Go Around the Room)
When leading a discussion that expects some level of preparation, introducing the topic with a brief refresher slideshow or video can help get everyone on the same page, even if they should already have knowledge of the topic from the prep work
If you will be meeting with the same group repeatedly or for an extended period of time, have more structure in the first few discussions, then gradually give participants more room to self-direct
Having an assortment of prepared questions or prompts will allow you to pick and choose based on the flow of conversation -- don’t feel that you need to use you came up with
If no one is responding to a particular prompt, try rephrasing it or approaching the idea from a different angle
Be sure to listen to what everyone has to say, try to pose questions that are related or in response to what has just been said rather than plowing ahead with a predetermined sequence of questions
When referencing something that has already been said, try to use the speaker's name so as to properly credit them for their ideas
Low risk
Gives opportunity for everyone to gather their thoughts
Allows people to express themselves in a context where they know their contributions won't be judged by others
Those who are more passive in group discussions are not able to sit back and let others carry it
No way to know if people are actually doing what they are supposed to be doing (especially if they are working on devices)
Harder for those who are confused or "stuck" to get inspiration from others
Provide a prompt, question, or topic
Have everyone write (or type) their own thoughts
Encourage people to use the medium with which they are most comfortable (paper and pencil, laptop, tablet, etc.)
Make it clear that you will not be collecting what they write and it will be up to them how much of it they want to share with the group
Often a good warm up to a discussion, especially one which you suspect might have a slow start
Low to medium risk
Gives opportunity for those who are shy or uncomfortable sharing in the larger group
More people get to talk because many conversations are happening at once
People are more likely to bond/connect in a pair or small group
Not everyone in the larger group benefits from the things shared in a smaller group
Harder for facilitators to monitor and mediate, less control
Potential of interpersonal friction, power imbalance, etc.
Break people into pairs or small groups (3-4 people) and provide them with the opportunity to discuss a prompt, answer a question, brainstorm, etc.
Be specific about how long they will be talking in their groups
Optional come back to larger group and share
Important to establish tone and ground rules with a group before doing this
Low to medium risk
Intended to be anonymous without seeming secretive
Gets people up and moving
Allows those less comfortable speaking in a group to participate equally
Gives facilitator a chance to notice and think through things to address
Many find it easier to gather their thoughts when others are not speaking
Can be logistically awkward in some spaces and will not be accessible to those with limited mobility (an accessible adaptation is to use an online tool such as Jamboard or Miro)
Often takes more time than regular discussion
Can be stressful for those who are self-conscious about spelling/writing abilities
Place large sticky notes or posters up around the room to create several stations (in some classrooms, you can use the chalk or dry erase boards instead)
Each station has a prompt of some kind
Everyone walks around the room and adds their responses/thoughts
As activity continues, participants start reading what others wrote
If time allows, encourage people to write responses to what others have written
Allow time after activity to process/discuss
Allows people to choose the moments when they want to contribute
Doesn't put anyone on the spot, creating a "challenge by choice" environment
Lets everyone in the group benefit from each person's contribution
Easier for people to respond to each other and build on one another's thoughts
When working well, it produces the most "natural" flow to the discussion
Medium to high risk
Those who are more confident speaking in groups will usually contribute more
If group is tired, shy, or feeling uncomfortable, there is greater potential for long, awkward silences
Provide a prompt or question
Have people "pop up" to contribute their thoughts as they are ready (this usually doesn't mean literally getting up out of their seats, just that they can insert themselves into the conversation more organically)
Encourage everyone to listen to each other and build on one another's comments as much as possible
This is often done without anyone raising their hand to be called on, but if you are worried about people talking over each other or things becoming too chaotic, you can moderate by having people raise their hands when they have something to say and calling on someone new when the previous person has finished speaking (if you do this, be mindful about distributing airtime as evenly as possible)
Everyone has the opportunity to speak
Those who aren’t used to jumping into conversation are given chance to participate without putting themselves forward
Airtime isn’t monopolized by a few
Once started, rarely requires much direction or intervention from facilitator
High risk
Usually produces a string of short monologues rather than an ongoing dialogue
People might have thoughts sparked by others' contributions but have already had their turn
Still has pressure of speaking in front of whole group for those who are shy or uncomfortable (they can pass, but they might have had something to say that they would have said in a smaller group)
Go around the room and have everyone take a turn responding to a question/prompt
Make sure everyone knows they have the option to pass
If you think people might be unclear about the prompt or anxious about sharing, you should consider going first to set the tone (you can also go last if it feels appropriate)