effective discussions

LEADING EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS

Shaun Longstreet, Ph.D.1Friday, February 8, 2008

AGENDA

Introductions and overview

Active learning

Socializing your students for class discussion

Encouraging prepared students

Effective question techniques

2Friday, February 8, 2008

INTRODUCTIONS &

ACTIVE LEARNING

What does active learning mean for you?

What do you do to encourage active learning?


HOW TO DEFINE ACTIVE LEARNING?

Move away from “sage on the stage” to “guide on the side.”

Students engage the material.

Dialogues between:

self and others

self and actions/experiences (or others’ actions/experiences)


Questions?


SOCIALIZING DISCUSSION

Let’s talk about what it means to socialize our students into class discussions.


We need to provide orientation

We must start early (day one)

We need to justify why we do what we do in the classroom

Explain how classroom discussion benefits the students




Having a rubric is important and helpful

provide guidelines for active participation

create roles (e.g. timekeeper, manager, writer)

give tasks and times


ON-LINE DISCUSSIONS

EEE Noteboard, Chat sessions

Guidelines are just as important

Behavior guides

Outline helpful, not so helpful discussions

Expectations for participation and types of participation (e.g. answer questions, ask questions)



Classroom environment

Establish a respectful rapport

Friendly, familiar space

Positive attitude

Class time is important


ExerciseWhy do we want discussions in our course?

When do we want discussions in our course?


Questions?


PREPARED STUDENTS

It is very difficult to have a class discussion if students are not prepared.


Hold the students accountable

Make discussions count toward the final grade

Explain relevance of discussion to course objectives

Connect preparation with discussion

PREPARED STUDENTS


Low-stakes checks on preparedness

Minute paper quiz on index cards

On-line surveys and quiz tool

Unclear/clear point checks

Be sure to follow up and follow through

LOW STAKES PREP CHECK


Questions?


EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS

Questions comprise a critical component to the creation of an environment conducive to good class discussion.


NOT SO EFFECTIVE

Yes/No questions

Fact checks, dead-ends

Rhetorical questions

Serial, unrelated questions

Fuzzy subjects

Multiple questions

“Do you understand?”

Overly broad questions

On-the-spot questions

Confrontational questions.


EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS

Rely on sufficient waiting times.

count to at least 5 before restating the question

If an incorrect response, try to avoid directly saying so:

instead ask why she/he came to that answer

throw the question to the class

posit an issue that might be a problem for that response


EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS

Good places to start:

Start with a case, an example, or a problem

Try evaluative questions

Try comparative questions

Lead students to weigh options or issues in their readings


POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT

Treat student responses positively.

Be aware of how you respond to individuals.

Be aware of the public performance issue, work hard to avoid embarrassing students.

Chastising almost always fails.


READINGS PACKET

Readings on effective questioning and listening. (Nilson, McKeachie, Hanson)

Classroom management and facilitating. (McKeachie & Walvoord)

Sample class guidelines, rubrics. (Walvoord)


Questions?


LEADING EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS

Shaun Longstreet, Ph.D.24Friday, February 8, 2008

effective discussions

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