Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) -- University  of Michigan


Teaching Strategies: Discussions


Discussions help students apply abstract ideas and think critically about what they learn. In fact, studies show that discussions build students’ problem-solving skills more effectively than do lectures. However, fostering productive discussions can be difficult for even the most experienced instructors. The articles in this section offer tips on preparing for discussions, asking questions that promote discussion, getting students to talk, and handling common problems that arise during discussions.

Teaching by Discussion
http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Tools/Discuss/

Improving Discussions (By Cashin and McKnight)
http://www.idea.ksu.edu/papers/Idea_Paper_15.pdf

Answering and Asking Questions (By Cashin)
http://www.idea.ksu.edu/papers/Idea_Paper_31.pdf

Tactics for Effective Questioning
http://ctl.stanford.edu/Tomprof/postings/121.html

FAQs: Discussions
http://www.iub.edu/~teaching/allabout/faq/leading.shtml

The Dreaded Discussion: Ten Ways to Start
http://www.carroll.edu/~msmillie/Honorscholars/TenWaysDisc.html

 

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