Using Discussion in the Classroom
In order to achieve student-to-instructor and student-to-student interaction, faculty often employ discussion as a teaching/learning method. In a discussion forum, students acquire speaking and listening skills as they reflect upon and respond to the ideas of others. Guided by specific learning goals, students may engage with and challenge course subject matter as well as learn to think and analyze topics via a disciplinary lens.
Resource Materials:
- Introduction to Classroom Discussions
- Make Your Discussion Sections More Engaging, Dynamic, and Productive
Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences - Large Class Discussion Ideas
University of Maryland - Penn State Teacher II pp. 42-54. Includes the following items: Teaching by Discussion: Dangers and Opportunities by John Moore; Commonly Asked Questions about Teaching with Discussion; and The Discussion Class by Melanie O’Donnell
- Schreyer Institute Strategy: Student-Led Discussion Groups
- Succinct summary of using discussion in the traditional classroom,
http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/Bulletin/Discussion.html
. . . and the online classroom, http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/Bulletin/OnlineDiscussion.html