Discussion
As I mentioned in my previous discussion thread, I am a new instructor and have never taught before. In my masters program, I was required to give multiple presentations for each course. Initiating a discussion was one of the things I found most challenging during my presentations. What are some good ways to initiate group discussion and to facilitate it?
Michelle, I have found that by incorporating relevant current events into a discussion as an ice breaker gets students conversing and even debating. For example, I teach a business class and we've been discussing corporate social responsibility, which is very relevant to the BP oil spill, which has been top of mind lately. I can't tell you how that topic sparked all sorts of discussion of corporate social responsibility. It made not only for an interactive session, but a lively one.
A good way to initate discussion is to take a chapter or chapters in the text, divide the class into groups and have them teach the lesson that you have just covered. The horror of the responsibility to teach others in the class generates a good response of discussion and allows you to see where additional info may be needed
Great point! Whenever students can connect with other students, it seems to be very effective. As peers, they are in the "same boat" so to speak and often they identify with each other on a slightly different level than identifying with the instructor!
I have found "Does anyone have a question/questions that has just been burning in your heart" or "Is there something you've been dying to ask but were afraid of the answer?" has also been a great icebreaker for initial classes, as well as new students joining an ongoing class. Also, allowing students to answer some of the questions put forth by other students gives ownership and encourages others to become helpful mentors.
Hi Michelle,
Develop a set of questions you want to cover in the discussion time. Then break the students up into learning groups. Assign each group 1-2 questions to talk about in their group and then report out in the full class discussion time. This gets all of the students involved, even the more shy ones as they work in groups and then the full class discussion will generate even additional questions so you will fill the time easily. If the discussion stalls have a set of questions that you can throw out to keep the discussion going.
Be an active part of the discussion so you can redirect the discussion should it get off track and believe me it will sometime in your future. It just happens and if you don't redirect the discussion will fail to do what you want and you will have wasted the students' time.
If one student dominates or tries to bully others don't be afraid step int maintain control. The other students will respect you for doing this.
Gary
