Discussion Method

Presented by Sumaira Moin

 OBJECTIVES
• Define Discussion Method
• Describe characteristics of Discussion
method
• Discuss Types of Discussion Method.
• Roles of a Teacher
• Advantages and disadvantages of
Discussion Method
What does the term “discussion”
mean?
• Discussion is simply exchange of ideas and
opinions.
• Dialogue
• Conversation
• Debate
• An extended communication (often
interactive) dealing with some particular topic.
Characteristics of Classroom
Discussion
• The modern theoretical and pedagogical
developments in instruction have fostered
effective classroom discussion as a crucial
teaching skill.
• It gives students an opportunity to
express their: views clearly, to
rationalize judgments, and to endure
different visions.
• It engages the students actively and
stimulates their thinking about key
learning points.
• It changes and develops learners’
attitudes by providing understanding and
insight into new ideas.
• It also offers an opportunity to the
students to request for explanation; to
observe their own thoughts; to praise
ideas and to create their own
perspectives.
• Many students feel shyness to take part in
discussion, this activity motivates them to
speak confidently.
 Definition of Classroom
Discussion
There are several definitions of Classroom discussion. The
dictionary of Education as cited in Janes et al (1994, p1)
describes classroom discussion as:

“An activity in which people talk together in order to share

information about a topic or problem or to seek possible
available evidence or a solution. It is used more and more in
Student-Centered learning venues as a means of engaging
students in the “active” construction of learning through
collaboration and the exchange of perspectives.”
 Types of Classroom
Discussion
Talking Circle/ Word Wheels
• The whole class is divided into two groups.
• Each group sits in one circle.
• One group sits in a circle facing outward and the other
facing inward so that each person faces someone else.
• The participants of these groups then share their
views on a given topic/problem.
• The facilitator sets a time for discussion session.
• And ask everyone on the inside to move one seat to the
right and discuss with the new person sitting opposite.
• The process continues until each person changes
views with several others.
Talking Tickets
• Talking tickets provide every student an equal
opportunity to speak.
• Each participant is given three tickets, each
representing a certain amount of “air time.”
• Once someone has used all his or her tickets, that
person has no further opportunity to speak.
• This technique not only encourages students for
critical thinking, time management, and confidence but
also gives every student an equal opportunity to speak.
• Whole class is involved in discussion and more
talkative and less talkative students are given equal
chances to speak.
Think-Pair-Share
• This technique was introduced in 1981 by Professor Frank Lyman.
• This strategy is based on the idea of co-operative learning and peer
interaction.
• There are four steps in Think-Pair-Share technique:
1. Open-ended question/Problem: Teacher asks students an open-
ended question or poses a problem to which there may be a
variety of answers.
2. Think: Students are given “think time” and are directed by the
teacher to think about the problem or question.
3. Pair: Students then turn their faces to their learning partner and
work together to share ideas, discuss, clarify, challenge and arrive
at possible solution.
4. Share: The pair then shares their ideas with another pair, or with
the whole class.
(Ledlow,2001)
Write Around
• In this method, the discussion is carried out in written form.
• It is also called silent discussion.
• Teacher poses a key question and asks student to write a response
at the top of a page.
• Each paper is then passed to the person on the right, who reads
the first statement and responds to it by writing something below.
• This process is repeated until three or four people have had an
opportunity to respond.
• Then students pass the papers back to the left so that everyone
can see what has been written on the pages.
• Because the facilitator does not see what participants write, this
method can enable them to express views they might desire to
keep from the facilitator.
Turn to your neighbor
• This is used when there are easy answers to
questions and teacher wants quick response.
• It contains simple structure in which a
question is asked; students turn to a classmate
sitting next to them to discuss their answer.
• Usually, students are given 30 seconds to
discuss an answer.
Line-Ups
• In this technique, students are lined up to some
standards such as height, weight, birthdays or
alphabetical order.
• The teacher poses a question.
• At this point, the line is folded in a way that the
member at the end move together to form two lines
facing each other.
• Students then discuss with the person in front of them.
• Teacher can then have volunteers share with the entire
class or students can be randomly called.
• This technique fosters great discussions by allowing
students to move out of their seats and to talk with a
diversity of students.
Jigsaw
• Divide students into groups of 4 to 6 participants.
• Jigsaw works best if it has same no. of participants in each group. (Jigsaw
groups)
• Divide you content into 4 to 6 chunks.
• It is important to divide the content into same no. of chunks as the no. of
students in each group.
• Assign one chunk of the content to each person in the Jigsaw group. Each
person has one chunk of information and he/she is responsible of reading it
silently.
• Have students meet in an Expert groups. Within each expert groups
students share their ideas and prepare a presentation.
• Students return to jigsaw groups. Where each student takes a turn and
explain his piece of the information whereas the rest of the students will
listen carefully, takes notes and ask questions.
• Assess all students on all the contents. Teacher will prepare a quiz which
includes all the content points. Each student will solve it independently.
• Teacher gives marks to each student.