An environment for discussion
Recently I've been trying to engage my students in a class-wide discussion of the writings on various topics. In order to create a more comfortable and equal environment (one in which I'm not necessarily the authority), I've been sitting down at my desk and acting only as a moderator. Has anyone else tried this, and what were the results? So far, my students have been responding well, which means that more of them are talking, and they're talking to each other. They're not just giving answers, they're discussing ideas. (And this is just the thing I'm trying to encourage.) Any tips?
Hi Abigail, I have found that smaller classes sometimes have a harder time with group discussions. This may be due to the anonymity that a larger class can provide as well as in larger classes the tendency to have more students in agreement with an opinion plays a role. In my smaller classes I have encouraged students to speak by offering assignment points for sharing their ideas. This sharing often stimulates discussion in the classroom.
I wonder if there are different methods for promoting discussion in large versus small classes.
Hi Abigail,
Your sitting down during the discussion is a good start. Mentally, when you sit down you have taken yourself out of the teacher (giver of knowledge) and placed yourself as the director of the discussion. When you stand back up you have taken control of the class once again. So the body language is very important in creating a setting for good discussion.
You may want to have a student panel to lead the discussion. Select two-three students and have them come to the front of the class and sit behind a table. They then can lead off the session with 3-5 minutes of information about the topic from their perspective. They were assigned the topic several days in advance so they are prepared. After their mini-presentations they can lead the discussion session. You can be prepared with a series of questions to keep the discussion moving forward.
This is a very good way to keep the class moving forward and involved in a low key comfortable way.
Any questions about this please let me know and I will be glad to share additional information as needed. Good luck!
Gary
