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Leading Group Discussions

The 17th Annual Workshop for New GTAs August 14-15, 2003 Mark D. Nelson, Ph.D. The University of Alabama College of Communication & Information Sciences. Leading Group Discussions. Agenda. Preliminaries Dangers Methods Tips and Techniques Killers and Igniters.

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Leading Group Discussions

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  1. The 17th Annual Workshop for New GTAsAugust 14-15, 2003Mark D. Nelson, Ph.D.The University of AlabamaCollege of Communication &Information Sciences Leading Group Discussions

  2. Agenda • Preliminaries • Dangers • Methods • Tips and Techniques • Killers and Igniters

  3. Leading Group DiscussionsPreliminaries • Assumption #1: Teachers must create a norm early in the term that students must read the material prior to the day that it is discussed in the classroom and/or lab session • Assumption #2: Lectures and/or lab sessions traditionally must expand upon the material in the text • Assumption #3: Teachers must examine the reading material carefully and select concepts which need elaboration or additional concepts that relate to the unit of study.

  4. Leading Group DiscussionsDangers • Danger #1: About one-third of the students will make most of the comments. • Danger #2: Students from some cultures have normative rules against speaking out in large groups. • Danger #3: Most teachers have unconscious preferences for whom they call on in classrooms.

  5. Leading Group DiscussionsMethods • Brainstorming: • Purpose: Allows a group to generate and discuss a variety of ideas/perspectives without prematurely evaluating them. • Advantages: Encourages creativity Encourages equal participation

  6. Leading Group DiscussionsMethods • Brainstorming: • Approach: Impose a time limit Quantity vs. Quality Freewheeling [creative, wild ideas] encouraged Silent, independent idea generation on paper Consolidate all lists into a master list No criticism of the ideas Linking to others’ ideas encouraged--piggybacking

  7. Leading Group DiscussionsMethods • Reflective Thinking: • Purpose: A logical step -by-step process for discussion that is especially well-suited for problem-solving. • Advantages: A systematic way to keep discussions on track. Guards against the tendency to prematurely end a discussion without thoroughly exploring the issue.

  8. Leading Group DiscussionsMethods • Reflective Thinking: • Approach: 1. Define the problem/issue 2. Analyze the problem/issue 3. Establish criteria for solutions 4. Generate potential solutions 5. Select the best solution

  9. Leading Group DiscussionsTips and Techniques • Ask closed-ended questions to check comprehension • Ask open-ended questions to foster further discussion of concepts • Avoid patterns of unintended disconfirmation of students who give “wrong” answers. • Ask questions that have many possible answers. • Reinforce the contribution of a student even if that isn’t the answer you were looking for. • Keep the discussion flowing by probing for specifics.. • Ask for additional comments.

  10. Leading Group DiscussionsMore Tips and Techniques • After asking a question, let some silence develop. • Remember that “WHY” questions may elicit defensiveness • Transform “WHY” questions to “HOW” questions when discussing personal behaviors. • Prepare, prepare, prepare. • Take notes on successes and failures immediately after class. • Assess your skill by videotaping class sessions

  11. Leading Group DiscussionsKillers and Igniters Discussion Killers deter discussion & creativity • That will never work • That’s crazy • That’s not practical • Let’s get back to You’re wrong • You don’t know what you are • That’s ridiculous talking about • No, that’s not what I’m talking about Discussion Igniters encourage a creative climate • That’s good! • I agree • That’s a great idea. • I’m glad you brought that up • You’re on the right track • I never thought of that • We can do a lot with that idea • Really good, anyone else?

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