A lively discussion deepens learning and energizes students and teachers. A lively discussion deepens learning and energizes students and teachers. Unfortunately, we’ve all had the experience of waiting for any student  to make a meaningful comment about what we thought was an interesting topic. Even when a discussion appears to go well, more than half the students can be unengaged. A few guidelines can help you turn a so-so discussion into a dynamic learning experience:

1. Give students ownership of the discussion.
Teaching students to generate their own questions for a discussion helps them develop the kind of critical thinking skill that will enhance their learning. Asking students to help develop guidelines for participation and etiquette also increases commitment to the success of a discussion.

The physical arrangement of a room matters, too. When students sit in rows waiting for teachers to call on individuals at their pleasure, students can clearly see who is responsible for a discussion’s effectiveness—the teacher. Placing students into a discussion-friendly arrangement, such as a circle, encourages students to interact with each other, rather than with the teacher. Setting up regular discussion routines, such as assigning a note-taker or a student leader, can minimize the role the teacher takes in conducting a discussion.

2. Treat a discussion as you would treat any serious learning activity.
If you want your students to learn from a discussion, expect them to learn from it. Ask them to prepare for a discussion by investigating a topic and preparing some thoughts and questions. In addition, asking students to reflect on what they have learned from a discussion focuses student learning. Teachers can also incorporate ideas from discussions into exams and encourage students to include their peers’ thoughts (properly cited) into exams and other products and performances. Students should take notes during a discussion just as they would during a lecture or other kind of presentation.

3. Teach students the skills and behaviors necessary for good discussions.
An effective discussion depends on active, skilled participants. Students who have had little experience with a genuine interchange of ideas may not know how to participate. Modeling and reinforcing active listening and ways of contributing constructively to a discussion can help students develop the necessary skills. Many of the tips for effective literature discussions described on this Web site are applicable to any kind of class discussion-- http://www.litcircles.org/Discussion/teaching.html

Teaching students to manage their own discussions is a huge challenge and takes a great deal of patience, instruction, and reflection on effective discussion practices. The rewards, however, are worth the challenge, as students follow their own guidelines to use a discussion as a learning opportunity.