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Designing, Facilitating, and Evaluating Discussions That Work

Designing, Facilitating, and Evaluating Discussions That Work. Kevin M. Johnston MSU TAP kmj@msu.edu. Workshop Objectives/Goals. Model Effective Discussion Techniques Engage one another concerning your most pressing questions concerning preparing and facilitating discussions

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Designing, Facilitating, and Evaluating Discussions That Work

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  1. Designing, Facilitating, and Evaluating Discussions That Work Kevin M. Johnston MSU TAP kmj@msu.edu

  2. Workshop Objectives/Goals • Model Effective Discussion Techniques • Engage one another concerning your most pressing questions concerning preparing and facilitating discussions • Introduce Group Work Techniques that lead to effective discussions • Familiarize you with helpful resources Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  3. ENGAGE! DISENGAGE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KFA1U8iOw

  4. What Issues Characterize Your Biggest Concerns about Discussions? • Setting Safe Spaces that Encourage, not Discourage? • Eliciting Student Involvement? • Dealing with (the dreaded) SILENCE? • Handling annoying or improper behavior? • Documenting and Assessing discussion Participation? ANY Others? Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  5. Preparing for Discussion • Explain the Roles of Discussion in Your Class, particularly how they relate to readings, lectures/labs, and the general social ethos of the classroom. Explicate your standards clearly in your syllabus! • Evaluate participation when possible Will You Allow Students Not To Participate? Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  6. Preparing for Discussion (cont.) • Set Ground Rules for Participation - Raise hands? - Call Randomly? Or, Orderly? - Use Index Cards? - Have “Appointed” Commentary? What about allowing students to “hire” assistants on-time? Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  7. ENGAGE! DISENGAGE!

  8. Preparing for Discussion (cont.) • Create a Discussion-Friendly Setting from the First Day of Class - How important is classroom architecture? - Names Matter! (Get your students to use them too). Find ways to learn something about your students. • Assign Groups if Appropriate; Allow for Movement (but not too much!) “But, I’d rather just listen!” Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  9. Facilitating Discussion • Reinforce Care and Support Continually • Eye-contact and Proximity Matter • Writing Prompts Work! • As a Facilitator, sometimes you’re directing traffic • …sometimes you just need to get out of the way. Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  10. Selecting Respondents vs. Asking for Volunteers • The “monopolizers” • The “I have NO ‘idea-ers’” • Bias and the Modern Classroom • Selection Bias • Participation Bias Allow for Periodic Escape Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  11. Facilitating Discussion (cont.) • “Prepare the road!” Discussions require maps! • Check in periodically with fellow “travelers” to make sure we know in which direction we’re travelling (and that we’ve a destination!) - Don’t be afraid to “…throw it in REVERSE.” to make sure we know where we’ve been. “Could you recap what we just covered?” Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  12. Facilitating Discussion (cont.) • Ten to Fifteen Seconds may seem like an eternity! But by all means WAIT! • Be sensitive to non-verbal cues: YOURS and THEIRS. • Encourage non-participants with cooperative exercises or writing prompts. • Talkers vs. Listeners (and why…) “I’m just having a bad day.” Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  13. ENGAGE! DISENGAGE!

  14. Question Types • Avoid “Tennis-volleying” Exchanges • Open-ended Questions • Focusing Questions • Interpretive Questions • Capstone/Summary Questions Amazingly, we often get what we asked for. Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  15. Facilitating Discussions (cont.) • SILENCE occurs for many reasons • Validate and Encourage; but don’t let incorrect answers confuse others. - Correct answers - Incomplete Answers - Unclear Responses - Seemingly Incorrect Answers - Clearly Wrong Responses “I didn‘t know what you wanted.” Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  16. Documenting Discussion Let’s Practice!!! Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  17. Winding Up Discussion • Leave Room for Comments/Questions • Review Relevant Points • Fill in Important Omissions • Document Existing Questions (start the next session using them) “In three minutes: Most interesting point? “Muddiest” point? Recommendations? Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  18. Alternative Formats • Debate (change your mind debate) • Press Conferences • “Fish-Bowls” • Role Playing • Panel Discussions Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

  19. Conclusion Discussion facilitation is an ART, it can be learned. Keep in mind, however, that it requires more people than just you! Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

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