MICRO PRESENTATION

“GROUP DISCUSSION”
BY

RASHID HUSSAIN

Post R.N B.Sc Nursing

SUBJECT: TEACHING LEARNING

Khyber Medical University

Post Graduate College of Nursing Peshawar
19-04-2010
Group Discussion
 Introduction
 Research has shown that participants in extensive
educational programs strongly prefer interactive
delivery methods, which allow them to learn new
information by seeing, experiencing, and discussing.
In working with groups, Extension educators often
find it easier to provide opportunities for seeing and
experiencing than for discussion. These methods
can be used to promote effective discussions in
learner groups. When used as one part of a broader
program delivery system, these methods can be
very helpful in facilitating the learning process.
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 AIM: To share the knowledge among the
participants about the Discussion Method
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of presentation the participants will be
able to:
 Define Discussion Method?
 Describe the types of Discussion Methods?
 Enlist the characteristics of discussion methods?
 Explain the Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion?
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
Group Discussion.
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 Definitions
 A group discussion (GP) is a discussion
about a given topic by a pre-determined
group.

 Group Discussion is the technique to

present the topic systematically and
tactfully in a logical manner.

 As the name itself indicate, is a group

activity carried out by participating
individuals. It is an exchange of ideas
among the individuals of a group on a
specific topic. 5
 Types of Discussion Methods

 Panel Discussion: A small group of

individuals (from three to five) who are
knowledgeable about a particular subject
discuss the topic among themselves in
front of an audience. Panel participants
make no formal presentations; they
exchange ideas through conversation.

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Panel Discussion

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 Seminar Discussion

 Seminar Discussion is generally, a form

of academic instruction, either at an
academic institution or offered by a
commercial or professional organization. It
has the function of bringing together small
groups for recurring meetings, focusing
each time on some particular subject, in
which everyone present is requested to
actively participate.
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Seminar Discussion

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Types of Discussion Conti…
Buzz Groups: Small groups of students find solutions and
report back to entire class:

• Good for “reducing the risk of participation” for a

student.
• Non-participants in large groups become participants in
small groups.
• Feel obligated.
• Bigger sense of responsibility .
• Participating in a small group can be more comfortable
for a student who is shy about speaking up in front of
the entire class.
• Students who are non-participants in a larger group
may feel more relax to participate in a small group.
Class-Room Discussion

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 Techniques in conducting a
Classroom Discussion
 Build a background for the discussion.

 Ask thought-provoking discussion questions.

 Ask questions to keep the discussion in bounds.

 Encourage the timid, restrain the talkative, and
maintain a standard of discipline.

 Be willing to accept, temporarily, an incorrect

idea. A hasty “No!” or “You’re wrong!” can bring
sudden death to any discussion.

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 Techniques.. Conti…

 Avoid expressing your own ideas until the

trainees have had ample opportunity to express
their ideas.

 Summarize the discussion at intervals. Use the
whiteboard for this purpose.  

 Give due credit to the trainees for their

contributions. Clear up misunderstandings and
emphasize correct ideas.

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 Characteristics of Discussion
Methods
 A GD is generally of 15-20 minutes duration.
 The group will have 8 & 12 members who will
express their views freely, frankly in a friendly
manner, on a topic of current issue.
 In a 20 minute GD with 10-12 participants, you
should try and participate at least 4 times.
 It could be semi-circular, or circular, or seating
along side a rectangular table, depending upon
the venue.

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Characteristics.. Conti…

 Leadership in a GD is established implicitly

through one's performance in a GD.
 Group discussion is essentially a verbal-oriented
performance and you have to talk your way out.
 The teacher does not interfere once he/she
announced the topic.

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Seating Arrangement for Discussion

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What you say about…????

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 Do`s in Group Discussion
 Appropriate to the issue or topic.
 Initiate and generate the discussion.
 Make original points & support them by substantial
reasoning.
 Listen to the other participants actively & carefully.
 Only one person speaks at a time.
 Raise your hand to be recognized if you want to
say something.
 Whatever you say must be with a logical flow &
validate it with an example as far as possible.
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 Do`s… Conti…
 Make only accurate statements.

 Summarize views of the others before presenting

your point of view.
 Be brief and to the point in the presentation of
your views.
 Modulate the volume, pitch and tone.
 Be considerate to the feelings of the others.
 Try to get your turn.
 Be an active and dynamic participant by listening.
 Talk with confidence and self-assurance. 19
 Do’s… Conti…

 Encourage and provide reticent members to

speak.

 Maintain a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere

throughout the discussion.

 Summarize the main view-points at the end.

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 Don’ts During Group Discussion
 Being shy /nervous / keeping isolated from G.D

 Don't interrupt when someone is speaking.

 Speak in favour .

 Changed opinions

 Don’t make fun of any participant even if his

arguments are funny.

 Worrying about making some grammatical

mistakes.

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 Don`ts Conti…
 Don’t engage yourself in sub-group conversation.
 Don’t repeat and use irrelevant materials.
 Addressing yourself to the examiner.

 Avoid using speech mannerisms and time-fillers.

 Neither recline in your chair nor lean forward.

 Don’t use aggressive gestures.

 Don’t ignore any member of the group.

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 Don’ts Conti…
 Don’t dominate the discussion
 Don’t monopolize the discussion
 Don’t make any personal remarks.
 Don’t jump to conclusions.
 Don’t enter into didactic discussion
 Don’t speak continuously for a long time.
 Neither raise your voice too high nor speak too
softly.
 Don’t speak in monotone.

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 Advantages of Discussion Method
 Give learners an opportunity to apply principle, concepts,
and theories.
 Students develop a sense of ownership and responsibility
for their own learning.
 Clarification of information and concepts.
 Students can learn process of group problem solving.
 Attitudes can be changed through discussion.
 In discussions, students cannot sit back and wait for the
professor's answers but must exert an effort to discover
their own answers.
 Discussions provide students with feedback on their ability
to articulate how well they understand difficult ideas.
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 Disadvantages of Discussion
Method
 It takes a lot of time.
 It is effective only to a small group.
 One person or a few people monopolized the
discussion.
 Discussions are inappropriate for providing an
overview of the structure of a course, for
introducing unfamiliar material and
 Explaining difficult concepts, and for doing a
literature review.
 Discussions cannot provide charismatic
inspiration to undertake a new and difficult unit
or learning project. 25
What Skills are Judged in Group
Discussion?
 How good you are at communication with others.
 How you behave and interact with group.
 How open minded are you.
 Your listening skill.
 How you put forward your views.
 Your leadership and decision making skills.
 Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.
 Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
 Your attitude and confidence.
 CONCLUSION

 The group discussion is a very effective way

of learning. However the group discussion
depends upon optimum preparation and
active participation of the members.
 The atmosphere should be democratic and
friendly.

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 References
 Handouts of “Group Discussion” provided by
teacher.

 http://hrlibrary.ngo.ru/edumat/hreduseries/hrhan
dbook/methods/6.htm

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/17824156/GroupDiscu
ssion-for-Success

 http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/32/3200081.pdf

 http://bible.org/seriespage/teaching-discussion

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A Group Discussion is a methodology
used by an organization to gauge
Whether the candidate has certain
personality traits and/or skills that it
desires in its members.
 Team Player
 Reasoning Ability
 Leadership
   Flexibility
 Assertiveness
 Initiative
 Creativity/ Out of the box thinking
 Inspiring ability
 Listening
 Awareness 30
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