Starting a Discussion- Using Effective Questioning Strategies- Using Structured Discussion Techniques

Designed by: Nadya Moosa November 2014

Lesson objectivesYou will be able to:- Implement a variety of good

practices when asking students questions.- select a range of discussion

techniques to incorporate into teaching sessions.

Using effective questioning strategies

Ways to Deliver Questions:

- Ask a single question at a time- Avoid asking “any questions”- Pose questions that invite multiple answers

Ways to Deliver Questions:

- Ask targeted questions- Search for common ground- Encourage student-to-student interaction

Wait time

- If the silence exceeds 30 seconds give your students some encouragement to get going; ask them. “The room has gone quiet. Why?”

- Lay out perspectives- Move the level- Acknowledge good points- Summaries good points

Changing the pace

Using structured discussion techniques

What is the common way to start a discussion?

20 Structured Discussion Techniques:

Brainstorm Buzz groups Case study Concept maps

WritingControlled discussion

Fishbowl Informal debates

Jigsaw KWL Learning cell Line up

Milling Mind maps Role play Rounds

SnowballTurn to your

neighborTwo-column lists WebQuests

For each of the techniques, you need to consider four criteria which are:

- Group Size- Type of Class- Level of teacher preparation- Size of groups

- Small (fewer than 30 students) - Medium (30-100 students) - Large (more than 100 students).

1 Group Size

- In person - Online - Hybrid

2 Type of class

- Some work required in advance of the discussion

- Minimal work required in advance.

3 Level of teacher preparation

- None (the technique involves the entire group) - Small sub-groups - Pairs - Individuals.

4 Size of groups

Poll

Select one among the 20 discussion techniques that you never heard about.

It is a great opportunity to learn about it today http://bit.ly/1xc82Hh

Brainstorming involves generating a great number of ideas – no matter how far-fetched and without explanation – in a fixed period of time, say five minutes.

Suitable for:• small or medium classes• any type of class• minimal preparation• whole class.

Brainstorm

In buzz groups, groups of two to four students exchange ideas informally in a limited period of time, typically five minutes or less.

Suitable for:• any class size• in person• minimal preparation• small groups.

Buzz groups

Good case studies describe a realistic situation – although it may be invented rather than factual – including relevant background, facts, conflicts, dilemmas, and a sequence of events leading up to a decision or action.

Suitable for:• any class size• any type of class• some preparation• small groups.

Case Study

In constructing a concept map, students work alone or in groups to show the connections between terms, ideas, or concepts. Students connect individual terms with lines and add labels to describe the relationship between terms.

Suitable for:• any class size• any type of class• some preparation• small groups, pairs or individuals.

Concept Maps

In a controlled discussion, the teacher is the focus of the discussion, asking students questions and answering their inquiries.

Suitable for:• any class size• any type of class• some preparation• whole class.

Controlled Discussion

During a fishbowl discussion, part of the group observes whilst another group discusses a topic.

Suitable for:• small or medium classes• any type of class• some preparation• small groups.

Fishbowl

Informal debates help students develop their skills in critical thinking, persuasion, public speaking and teamwork.

Suitable for:• small classes• in person• some preparation• small groups.

Informal debates

In a jigsaw activity, each small group meets to share expertise on its own topic. Then new groups are formed bringing together one person from each of the original groups.

Suitable for:• small or medium classes• any type of class• some preparation• small groups.

Jigsaw

Students are asked to list anonymously, either in a face-to-face session or online, what they know and what they want to know about a new topic.

Suitable for:• small classes• any type of class• some preparation• Individuals.

KWL

In learning cells, students pair off to discuss an activity they've already completed, perhaps reading an article or chapter, solving a quantitative problem, visiting an art exhibit, or some other activity.

Suitable for:• any class size• any type of class• minimal preparation• Pairs.

Learning cell

In a line-up, students are asked to organize themselves in a line according to their position on an issue. Online, students tick a box that most closely corresponds to their perspective.

Suitable for:• small or medium classes• any type of class• some preparation• whole class.

Line up

Milling directs students to move around the room, open space, or synchronous online environment, asking a question or sharing information with each person they pass.

Suitable for:• small or medium class• any type of class• minimal preparation• whole class.

Milling

Mind maps have a central image with branches representing major categories related to that central idea.

Suitable for:• any class size• in person• some preparation• small groups, pairs or individuals.

Mind maps

In role-playing, students get a situation and a cast of characters and improvise dialogue to act out the event as if they were participants.

Suitable for:• small classes• in person• some preparation• small groups.

Role play

Rounds offer everyone in the group – including the teacher – an opportunity to make a statement about a topic without being interrupted for a specific interval – 30 seconds or so.

Suitable for:• small classes• any type of class• minimal preparation• whole class.

Rounds

During the first round, students share ideas in pairs, moving along to a second round of small groups. In the third round, the groups of eight develop action plans, and each of these groups report to the entire group.

Suitable for:• small or medium class• in person• some preparation• small groups or pairs.

Snowball

This activity asks students to consider a problem or question for a few minutes, then discuss it with the person next to them.

Suitable for:•any class size• in person•minimal preparation•pairs.

Turn to your neighbor

A two-column list compares views or presents the pros and cons of a position, including every relevant viewpoint students can think of for each column.

Suitable for:• any class size• any type of class• minimal preparation• individuals.

Two-column lists

A WebQuest sends students to the Internet with a specific task, a list of Web-based information resources, and questions to address.

Suitable for:• any class size• online• some preparation• small groups, pairs or individuals.

WebQuests

Writing is one way students can express themselves, and it is particularly effective before a discussion because it helps students articulate their ideas.

Suitable for:• small or medium class• any type of class• minimal preparation• Individuals.

Writing

All information are taken from:

Making the most of discussion © Epigeum Ltd 2011

Slides are designed by:

Nadya Moosa