Faculty gathered on November 2nd for a conversation about how to design meaningful classroom discussions. The session was developed using different discussion methods to explore this topic around several key questions:
QUESTION #1 Background Knowledge: What are some typical instructional goals of classroom discussions?
Discussion MOVES:
- Think – Pair – Share
- Snowball
- Whole Group
QUESTION #2 – Building Interest – Agree/Disagree: Right now, I feel that classroom discussion is valuable, possible, and productive
Discussion MOVES:
- Philosophical Chairs (Discuss, then choose a spokesperson to present the issues and approaches)
Question #3 – Building Knowledge: How can we expand our repertoire of discussion approaches that also meet our instructional goals?
Discussion MOVES:
- Affinity Maps (in reverse) – In teams, discuss and come up with a list of discussion approaches that could “fit” under each of the instructional goals we generated in Question #1. Put them on post-its and place them under each category on the board. Choose your top strategy and be prepared to describe it to the larger group.
Question #4 – Going Deeper: What can we learn in a cross-disciplinary way about the value, process, or approach to holding classroom discussions?
Discussion MOVES:
- Thinking for Understanding Discussion Cards – Use the cards to build and participate in the discussion
Question #5 – Review/Retrieval: What was most memorable and useful to you from this session?
Discussion MOVES:
- Teach – >OK! = Reciprocal Teaching – Take turns completing these 4 tasks:
- Summarize what you’ve found challenging about classroom discussions
- Describe a new technique you’d like to try
- What’s a question you still have?
- What’s an insight you’ve gained?
References
Thinking for Understanding – (Ritchhart, Church, & Morrison, 2011)
The Big List of Classroom Discussion Strategies – https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/speaking-listening-techniques/
