Effective Classroom Discussion Techniques

Questions and Answers

What is the class discourse pattern?

Initiation

Response

Evaluation

All of the above (correct)

What are the four steps in planning a Classroom Discussion?

Choose an approach (correct)

Consider students (correct)

Make a plan (correct)

Consider purpose (correct)

What 5 types of questions should you avoid during a classroom discussion?

Dead-end, chameleon, fuzzy, put-down, programmed-answer

What is a dead-end question?

A question requiring only yes or no Signup and view all the answers

What is a chameleon question?

A question that begins in one direction and then switches to a different direction Signup and view all the answers

What is a fuzzy question?

A question that is unclear or confusing Signup and view all the answers

What is a put-down question?

A question that is largely rhetorical and minimizes the legitimacy of a comment Signup and view all the answers

What is a programmed-answer?

A question that gives away the intended answer Signup and view all the answers

What are the five phases of holding a classroom discussion?

Clarify aims and establish set Signup and view all the answers

What are five ways of responding to student answers during Classroom Discussion?

Reflect on student ideas Signup and view all the answers

What are seven characteristics of an essential question?

Open-ended Signup and view all the answers

What is discussion?

A teaching method that relies on verbal exchange of ideas among students and the teacher Signup and view all the answers

What is discourse?

The larger patterns of verbal exchange and communication that occur in the classroom Signup and view all the answers

What are recitations?

An approach to teaching in which a teacher provides bits of information, asks questions, gets students to respond, and then provides feedback by praising or correcting Signup and view all the answers

What did Marzano say about what type of questions should be asked?

Fact questions are effective for promoting student achievement while higher cognitive questions are effective for engaging higher-level learning. Signup and view all the answers

What does level of difficulty refer to?

How difficult a question asked of students is to answer Signup and view all the answers

What is wait-time?

The time a teacher waits for a student to respond to a question and the time a teacher waits before responding back. Signup and view all the answers

What is wait-time 1?

The pause between the teacher's question and the student's response Signup and view all the answers

What is wait-time 2?

The pause between the student's first response and the teacher's recitation Signup and view all the answers

What are the three approaches to classroom discussion?

Sharing-Based Discussion Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of recitations in Classroom Discussion?

To check understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of inquiry or problem-based discussions in Classroom Discussion?

To enhance thinking skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sharing-based discussions in Classroom Discussion?

To offer opinions Signup and view all the answers

What is cognitive dissonance?

Discrepancies or contradictions between what an individual believes to be accurate or true and what is present in a current situation or simultaneously held belief Signup and view all the answers

What is a convergent question?

Type of question that focuses on relationships and analysis of cause and effect; usually one single, best answer Signup and view all the answers

What is a divergent question?

"What-if" questions that allow multiple answers and solutions to promote creativity Signup and view all the answers

What are elaborative interrogation questions?

Questions that follow up on other inferential questions and require students to support and expand their ideas Signup and view all the answers

What are essential questions?

Questions that reflect big ideas in any subject and serve as the heart of the curriculum Signup and view all the answers

What is a U-shaped seating pattern?

A seating arrangement used for discussions in which students' chairs form a U and the teacher is seated at the open end of the U Signup and view all the answers

What is a circle seating pattern?

A seating arrangement used in discussion that places the teacher and students in a circle Signup and view all the answers

What is random calling?

Approach used during a discussion or a question and answer session where students are called at random rather than called after having their hands raised Signup and view all the answers

What are 8 ways of holding a discussion?

Listening to students' ideas Signup and view all the answers

What is debriefing?

Way to assess the effectiveness of a classroom discussion by asking students what they thought of the discussion Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 strategies to slow the pace and broaden participation in Classroom Discussion?

Beach ball Signup and view all the answers

What is think-pair-share?

A technique used by teachers to slow down the pace of discourse and to increase student participation Signup and view all the answers

What are buzz groups?

A small-group technique to help broaden student participation in discussion; the groups discuss ideas about a particular topic of a lesson Signup and view all the answers

What is a beach ball?

Technique that allows only the person with the ball to talk at a time; for younger students Signup and view all the answers

What are interpersonal communication skills?

Skills that promote honest communication and positive regard among students Signup and view all the answers

What is paraphrasing?

Making sure that the receiver of a message understands the ideas being communicated Signup and view all the answers

What is an I-message?

Communication skill consisting of a message sender describing the behavior of an event and expressing the feelings triggered by the event Signup and view all the answers

What is visual cuing?

Use of visual devices, such as hand signals, to inform students about what they should be doing Signup and view all the answers

What are two communication skills that reduce communication gaps?

Paraphrasing Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'debriefing' and 'ending' a discussion?

'Debriefing' a discussion is a way to assess its effectiveness by asking students to evaluate it. 'Ending' a discussion is asking students to summarize the discussion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classroom Discussion Patterns

Initiation, response, and evaluation are key components of class discourse patterns.
Effective questions stimulate engagement and lead to in-depth discussions.

Planning Classroom Discussions

Consider purpose: Define the objective of the discussion.
Consider students: Understand the dynamics and needs of the class.
Choose an approach: Select a method that fits the discussion goal.
Make a plan: Outline the structure and flow of the discussion.

Types of Questions to Avoid

Dead-end questions: Require only yes or no answers.
Chameleon questions: Start in one direction but shift unexpectedly.
Fuzzy questions: Lack clarity or may confuse students.
Put-down questions: Rhetorical, undermining student contributions.
Programmed-answers: Questions giving away the intended answer.

Phases of Classroom Discussion

Clarify aims and establish a set: Set clear objectives for the discussion.
Focus the discussion: Keep the interaction centered on key topics.
Hold the discussion: Facilitate exchanges and encourage participation.
End the discussion: Summarize key points and wrap up.
Debrief the discussion: Reflect on the discussion’s effectiveness and student takeaways.

Responding to Student Answers

Dignify incorrect responses: Validate all contributions, fostering a safe environment.
Reflect on student ideas: Paraphrase and build upon students' thoughts.
Seek clarification: Ask students to elaborate for deeper understanding.
Label thinking processes: Help students recognize their cognitive strategies.
Encourage alternatives: Invite multiple perspectives and solutions.

Characteristics of Essential Questions

Open-ended: Allow for expansive thinking and discussion.
Intellectually engaging: Stimulate curiosity and critical analysis.
Higher-level thinking: Encourage synthesis and evaluation.
Points toward important ideas: Connect to broader themes.
Raises additional questions: Foster ongoing inquiry.
Requires support: Demand evidence and rationale for responses.
Recurs over time: Be relevant across different discussions and contexts.

Discussion and Discourse

Discussion: A teaching method based on verbal exchanges among students and teachers.
Discourse: The organized patterns of verbal communication in classrooms.

Recitations

A method where the teacher delivers information, asks questions, and provides feedback through praise or correction.

Question Types and Their Effects

Fact questions: Promote basic understanding, beneficial for student achievement.
Higher cognitive questions: Engage students in deeper, analytical thought processes.

Wait-Time in Classroom Discussions

Refers to the pauses observed during questions and responses, which enhance student thought and engagement.
Wait-time 1: The pause after a teacher’s question before the student responds.
Wait-time 2: The pause after a student’s response before the teacher reacts.

Approaches to Classroom Discussion

Recitations, inquiry/problem-based discussions, and sharing-based discussions each serve distinct purposes.
Recitations check understanding; inquiry enhances thinking skills; sharing-based discussions allow for opinion expression.

Cognitive Dissonance

Refers to the conflict experienced when a person's beliefs contradict current experiences or new information.

Question Types

Convergent questions: Focus on relationships and typically have a single correct answer.
Divergent questions: "What-if" queries that inspire creativity and multiple responses.
Elaborative interrogation questions: Follow up other questions, requiring students to further elaborate on their ideas.
Essential questions: Core inquiries that represent significant ideas within any subject.

Seating Arrangements

U-shaped seating pattern encourages interaction, with teachers seated at the open end.
Circle seating fosters equality in participation among students.

Random Calling

A technique where the teacher calls on students randomly to promote equal involvement in discussions.

Strategies for Effective Discussions

Use random calling, keep records, listen actively, use wait-time, respond thoughtfully, express opinions, and create an enjoyable atmosphere.

Debriefing vs. Ending Discussions

Debriefing involves assessing the discussion's effectiveness through student feedback.
Ending involves summarizing the key points discussed.

Communication Skills

Interpersonal communication skills enhance positive interactions among students.
Paraphrasing: Ensures messages are understood correctly.
I-messages: Communicate personal feelings and perspectives related to events.

Visual Cues

Utilizing hand signals or other visual devices can effectively guide student behavior and participation in discussions.

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Description

Explore key components and strategies for facilitating engaging classroom discussions. Learn to plan effective discussions, avoid common pitfalls in questioning, and implement steps to enhance student participation. This quiz covers essential elements for educators looking to improve discourse in their classrooms.