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What
is Discussion ?
A
discussion is an oral exploration of a topic, object, concept or
experience. All learners need frequent opportunities to generate
and share their questions and ideas in small and whole class settings.
Teachers who encourage and accept students' questions and comments
without judgement and clarify understandings by paraphrasing difficult
terms stimulate the exchange of ideas.
What
is its purpose?
- to
help students make sense of the world
- to
stimulate thought, wonder, explanation, reflection and recall
- to
provide opportunities for students to clarify and expand their
ideas and those of others
- to
promote positive group interaction and conversation
- to
demonstrate questioning techniques
How
can I do it?
- Open-ended
Discussions:
- Open-ended
discussions begin with a sincere question (to which there
is no one correct or concise answer) posed by teacher or student.
- All
listeners consider the question.
- Incorporate
pauses after students' responses to encourage extended or
different responses.
- Clarify
students' responses when necessary.
- Establish
student-student dialogues during the discussion whenever possible.
- Respect
students' questions and their responses.
- Model
the role of sensitive listener, collaborator, mediator, prompter,
learning partner and questioner.
- Guided
Discussions:
- Guided
discussions begin with teacher-posed questions that promote
the exploration of a particular theme, topic or issue.
- Through
discussion, students should achieve a deeper understanding
of the topic.
- After
some time is spent on teacher-directed questioning, students
should be encouraged to facilitate discussions by continuing
to formulate and pose questions appropriate to the topic of
study.
- Talking
Stick Circles or Discussions:
- Talking
stick circles or discussions can be used to encourage students
to reflect on experiences or discuss feelings.
- The
students gather in a circle.
- The
participant holding an assigned object or the talking stick
has the option of speaking while other circle participants
listen.
- Once
speakers have shared their comments and opinions, they pass
the stick or object to the person next to them.
- Talking
circles can be used with a large group or small groups, or
with inner-outer circle formations.
- Inner-outer
circle participants gather in two circles.
- The
students in the outer circle listen to the discussion taking
place in the inner circle, then exchange places and become
active participants in the inner circle
How
can I adapt it?
- Discussions
should be part of every school subject.
- Discussions
can be incorporated into the following strategies:
Assessment
and Evaluation Considerations
- Observe
students' participation and conduct in large and small group discussions.
- Note
which students rarely or never ask questions.
- Note
the settings, topics, concepts or objects which stimulate the
most discussion.
Teacher
Resources
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