How do I encourage participation/ facilitate discussion?
We've all been there. You've read the text over and over, you know the material backwards and forwards, you're primed for a rigorous discussion of the finer points, and when you ask your students for their opinions, you find yourself staring at row after row of blank faces. Suddenly you find yourself on the wrong side of a Ferris Bueller moment, "Anyone? Anyone?" Or maybe you've got them talking, at least two or three of them, while everyone else rolls their eyes or tunes out. Or they're all talking, but the conversation is misdirected, off topic or inflammatory and out of control. This section can help you create a classroom where participation is frequent, equitable and productive.
1. Communicate the importance of participation in your class; make clear that their input is valuable and part of their coursework.
2. Establish Community Guidelines- ask students what they think makes a discussion productive and inclusive.
3. Use a variety of techniques and strategies to get students involved in discussion.
4. Facilitation is cat-herding: pay attention to the balance of student interest and your learning goals for the day. Have a fairly detailed discussion plan prepared, but don't so be rigid that you stifle conversation.
5. Give them time to think- Have a question written on the board as they enter class. Have them begin each class with reflective writing, or better yet- have them write a reading response before they come to class.
http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/newteach/intro.html
We've all been there. You've read the text over and over, you know the material backwards and forwards, you're primed for a rigorous discussion of the finer points, and when you ask your students for their opinions, you find yourself staring at row after row of blank faces. Suddenly you find yourself on the wrong side of a Ferris Bueller moment, "Anyone? Anyone?" Or maybe you've got them talking, at least two or three of them, while everyone else rolls their eyes or tunes out. Or they're all talking, but the conversation is misdirected, off topic or inflammatory and out of control. This section can help you create a classroom where participation is frequent, equitable and productive.
1. Communicate the importance of participation in your class; make clear that their input is valuable and part of their coursework.
2. Establish Community Guidelines- ask students what they think makes a discussion productive and inclusive.
3. Use a variety of techniques and strategies to get students involved in discussion.
4. Facilitation is cat-herding: pay attention to the balance of student interest and your learning goals for the day. Have a fairly detailed discussion plan prepared, but don't so be rigid that you stifle conversation.
5. Give them time to think- Have a question written on the board as they enter class. Have them begin each class with reflective writing, or better yet- have them write a reading response before they come to class.
http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/newteach/intro.html
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