Chapter 7: How Teachers can Facilitate Student Discussions by not talking ?.
This chapter is about engaging in discussions in order to
learn.
Research proves that class discussion is more interesting when most of the students are participating. The instructor should then join the students in order for them to be engaged fully in their group discussions. (Barton, Heilker, & Rutowski,
2008).
Most of our students view lectures as a better way of learning and discussion as a waste of time. Their thinking is that in lecturing, the instructor is engaged in teaching for a longer period compared to discussion. They think this way because these students are affected by the traditional method of learning to which they have adapted in their high school for 12 years or more. As a result, students tend to make excuses in adapting the learner – centered teaching. In the new method, they are urged to speak and participate in discussions so that others can give them feedback in areas where they have shown strength and the areas which needs improvement.(Kolb
Fry, 1975).
In order for them to have an effective discussion in class, the instructor should keep quiet and let the students lead the discussion. In this way, students will be engaged in their own discussions. (de
Byl, 2009).The instructor should later join them thus sharing power with the students.
There several steps to be followed in order to have an effective
discussion in class. These are:
1. The type of discussion the group wants to have.
2. Deciding on what is going to be discussed.
3. The methods to be used for the discussion.
According to Roger Schwarz in his book titled The Skilled Facilitator (2002) suggested the following
steps:
1. To recognize that each action sends a message.
2. Having clear learning outcome.
3. Understanding the group culture.
4. The task should align with the level of the learners.
5. Defining the roles of the learners.
6. Having enough time in completing the task (Schwarz, 2002, p.19).
learn.
Research proves that class discussion is more interesting when most of the students are participating. The instructor should then join the students in order for them to be engaged fully in their group discussions. (Barton, Heilker, & Rutowski,
2008).
Most of our students view lectures as a better way of learning and discussion as a waste of time. Their thinking is that in lecturing, the instructor is engaged in teaching for a longer period compared to discussion. They think this way because these students are affected by the traditional method of learning to which they have adapted in their high school for 12 years or more. As a result, students tend to make excuses in adapting the learner – centered teaching. In the new method, they are urged to speak and participate in discussions so that others can give them feedback in areas where they have shown strength and the areas which needs improvement.(Kolb
Fry, 1975).
In order for them to have an effective discussion in class, the instructor should keep quiet and let the students lead the discussion. In this way, students will be engaged in their own discussions. (de
Byl, 2009).The instructor should later join them thus sharing power with the students.
There several steps to be followed in order to have an effective
discussion in class. These are:
1. The type of discussion the group wants to have.
2. Deciding on what is going to be discussed.
3. The methods to be used for the discussion.
According to Roger Schwarz in his book titled The Skilled Facilitator (2002) suggested the following
steps:
1. To recognize that each action sends a message.
2. Having clear learning outcome.
3. Understanding the group culture.
4. The task should align with the level of the learners.
5. Defining the roles of the learners.
6. Having enough time in completing the task (Schwarz, 2002, p.19).