"Discussion as a Way of Teaching" by Stephen Brookfield
When I decided to be a teacher of the language arts, I knew that I
wanted my class to be discussion based. Discussions had the most impact on my
learning, and research backs that up as well. I like
how ideas build upon one another to unveil a brand-new idea no one thought of originally.
I like hearing others' opinions on controversial issues. I like talking about
controversial issues period. We should talk about them because that's what life
is comprised of--controversy. If we don't know where we stand on the big
issues, how do we know who we are as people?
The biggest issue I have come across when it comes to group discussions is the lack of preparedness. For this reason, I like the "snowballing" method as it has students collect their own thoughts to questions on a piece of paper first. Then, continually their group sizes become larger which means more ideas are introduced, and then there are more concepts to discuss.
I also like the "circle of voices" idea because it allows students to come up with their own thoughts, have the opportunity to express those thoughts, and then there is time to revisit those thoughts. The only thing I don't care for about this method is that the rules of "circle of voices" state that no one is allowed to talk while another is speaking. Everyone has to go around the circle and share before you can revisit ideas and ask for more detail, explanations, expansions, etc. I agree no one should talk while others are speaking, but I think it would be okay to ask questions after one is done presenting their ideas. Otherwise, students may forget the questions they were wanting to ask. If a student feels as though they have to try and remember their questions, they may not listen to the others sharing because they're so focused on not forgetting. I also think that if we did it the way I just mentioned, it would flow better.
I especially like the "newsprint" idea because it allows students to take their ideas and run with them. We as teachers give starting questions to get them going, but they are encouraged to stray away from the questions if they come up with something on their own.
Whatever method I use, I will make sure that there are questions for students to begin with to help the flow of ideas. These will probably end up being questions I assign for homework as well so they come be extra prepared for what's to come in the following class period. As long as they do the assigned readings, they should be fine.
The biggest issue I have come across when it comes to group discussions is the lack of preparedness. For this reason, I like the "snowballing" method as it has students collect their own thoughts to questions on a piece of paper first. Then, continually their group sizes become larger which means more ideas are introduced, and then there are more concepts to discuss.
I also like the "circle of voices" idea because it allows students to come up with their own thoughts, have the opportunity to express those thoughts, and then there is time to revisit those thoughts. The only thing I don't care for about this method is that the rules of "circle of voices" state that no one is allowed to talk while another is speaking. Everyone has to go around the circle and share before you can revisit ideas and ask for more detail, explanations, expansions, etc. I agree no one should talk while others are speaking, but I think it would be okay to ask questions after one is done presenting their ideas. Otherwise, students may forget the questions they were wanting to ask. If a student feels as though they have to try and remember their questions, they may not listen to the others sharing because they're so focused on not forgetting. I also think that if we did it the way I just mentioned, it would flow better.
I especially like the "newsprint" idea because it allows students to take their ideas and run with them. We as teachers give starting questions to get them going, but they are encouraged to stray away from the questions if they come up with something on their own.
Whatever method I use, I will make sure that there are questions for students to begin with to help the flow of ideas. These will probably end up being questions I assign for homework as well so they come be extra prepared for what's to come in the following class period. As long as they do the assigned readings, they should be fine.
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