Whole Classroom Discussion Methodology

What is it?

• It is a cooperative learning methodology focused on achieving full classroom participation.

• Classroom discussions focus on the transferred information shared between the teacher and the students.

There are four basic factors:

• The discussion must have a purpose

• Students must have something to say

• Students must feel comfortable participating

• Meaningful questions must be asked.

Does it work?

The pros …• Provides interaction between

students and teachers• Provides the teacher with

control of the subject • Teachers can check what

students retain from lecture• Students tend to be more

focused• Students can feel more

comfortable with asking questions

The cons…• Classroom discussions need

rules and must be enforced

• Students may feel uncomfortable

• Students who are weak in note taking may find classroom discussions difficult to grasp

Tips for a Successful Whole Classroom Discussion:

• Discussion topics must be significant to the lessons and relative to the subject

• Questions asked must be appropriate and in context• Provide time and opportunities for student’s to develop thoughts

and questions• Initially dividing the students into subgroups benefits whole

classroom discussions effectiveness• Provide a comfort zone• Set rules for discussions• Control discussion monopolizes

How many triangles do you see?

• Begin by working individually• Please, do not look at what others

have done.

• See how many triangles you can find in 10 minutes.

You have minutes left109876543210

How many triangles do you see?

• Work in a group of 3 or 4• Share one new copy of the

triangle and combine your efforts.

• Now see how many triangles you can find in 10 minutes.

You have minutes left109876543210

Let’s Discuss Your Methods…

• How many triangles did you find when you worked alone?

• How many triangles did you find when you worked as a group?

• What method(s) did you, as an idividual, use to find the triangles?

• What method(s) did you, as a group, use to find the triangles?

• What other method(s), if any, did you consider using?

Here are some possible methods you could have used…

You may have labeled all of the intersections with numbers or letters…

a

b

c

d

e

fg

h

How many chose this method?

…or perhaps you mentally dissected the triangles and drew them on your paper, like this…

How many chose this method?

What other methods did you use?

• How many chose to only label the diagram?

• How many chose to only dissect the triangles and draw them on your paper?

• How many chose a combination of both methods stated above?

• How many chose a completely different method? If so, please explain what you did?

• Based on how you and other classmates analyzed how to tackle this puzzle, if you were to work this puzzle again, how would you go about it now?