Leading Group Discussions The 17 th Annual Workshop

Leading Group Discussions The 17 th Annual Workshop for New GTAs August 14 -15, 2003 Mark D. Nelson, Ph. D. The University of Alabama College of Communication & Information Sciences

Agenda Ø Preliminaries Ø Dangers Ø Methods Ø Tips and Techniques Ø Killers and Igniters

Leading Group Discussions Preliminaries Ø Assumption #1: Teachers must create a norm early in the term that students must read the material prior to the day that it is discussed in the classroom and/or lab session ØAssumption #2: Lectures and/or lab sessions traditionally must expand upon the material in the text ØAssumption #3: Teachers must examine the reading material carefully and select concepts which need elaboration or additional concepts that relate to the unit of study.

Leading Group Discussions Dangers ØDanger #1: About one-third of the students will make most of the comments. ØDanger #2: Students from some cultures have normative rules against speaking out in large groups. ØDanger #3: Most teachers have unconscious preferences for whom they call on in classrooms.

Leading Group Discussions Methods Ø Brainstorming: • Purpose: Allows a group to generate and discuss a variety of ideas/perspectives without prematurely evaluating them. • Advantages: Encourages creativity Encourages equal participation

Leading Group Discussions Methods Ø Brainstorming: • Approach: Impose a time limit Quantity vs. Quality Freewheeling [creative, wild ideas] encouraged Silent, independent idea generation on paper Consolidate all lists into a master list No criticism of the ideas Linking to others’ ideas encouraged--piggybacking

Leading Group Discussions Methods Ø Reflective Thinking: • Purpose: A logical step -by-step process for discussion that is especially well-suited for problem-solving. • Advantages: A systematic way to keep discussions on track. Guards against the tendency to prematurely end a discussion without thoroughly exploring the issue.

Leading Group Discussions Methods Ø Reflective Thinking: • Approach: 1. Define the problem/issue 2. Analyze the problem/issue 3. Establish criteria for solutions 4. Generate potential solutions 5. Select the best solution

Leading Group Discussions Tips and Techniques ØAsk closed-ended questions to check comprehension ØAsk open-ended questions to foster further discussion of concepts ØAvoid patterns of unintended disconfirmation of students who give “wrong” answers. ØAsk questions that have many possible answers. ØReinforce the contribution of a student even if that isn’t the answer you were looking for. ØKeep the discussion flowing by probing for specifics. . ØAsk for additional comments.

Leading Group Discussions More Tips and Techniques ØAfter asking a question, let some silence develop. ØRemember that “WHY” questions may elicit defensiveness ØTransform “WHY” questions to “HOW” questions when discussing personal behaviors. ØPrepare, prepare. ØTake notes on successes and failures immediately after class. ØAssess your skill by videotaping class sessions

Leading Group Discussions Killers and Igniters Discussion Killers deter discussion & creativity ØThat will never work ØThat’s crazy ØThat’s not practical ØLet’s get back to You’re wrong ØYou don’t know what you are ØThat’s ridiculous talking about ØNo, that’s not what I’m talking about Discussion Igniters encourage a creative climate ØThat’s good! ØI agree ØThat’s a great idea. ØI’m glad you brought that up ØYou’re on the right track ØI never thought of that ØWe can do a lot with that idea ØReally good, anyone else?