Facilitating group discussion

Facilitating Group Discussion

Creating the opportunity for all students to talk about course material and put ideas into their own words.

Through the process of speaking and interacting with one another, students transform information from lectures and readings into usable knowledge and personal experience.

• Students talking in pairs or small groups before sharing with the whole class.
  
• A freewrite exercise to get everyone thinking about the topic.
  
• Students sharing their ideas in a systematic, or free flow, way.
  
• Students actively listening and responding to their peers.

• Students practice and develop the ability to clearly communicate ideas and meaning.
  
• Students develop skills of synthesis and integration.
  
• Students explore a diversity of perspectives, and develop appreciation for continuing differences.
  
• Students become more aware and tolerant of ambiguity or complexity.
  
• Students recognize and investigate their assumptions.
  
• Students learn the processes and habits of democratic discourse.
  
• Students become more attentive, respectful listeners.
  
• Shows respect for students’ voices and experiences.
  
• Affirms that students are co-creators of knowledge.