1. Kevin M. Johnston MSU TAP kmj@msu.edu

2. 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 20102

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

4. 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 20104

5. 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? 5Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 2010

6. 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 20106

8. 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, Id rather just listen! Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 20108

9. Reinforce Care and Support Continually Eye-contact and Proximity Matter Writing Prompts Work! As a Facilitator, sometimes youre directing traffic …sometimes you just need to get out of the way. Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 20109

10. 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 201010

11. Prepare the road! Discussions require maps! Check in periodically with fellow travelers to make sure we know in which direction were travelling (and that weve a destination!) - Dont be afraid to …throw it in REVERSE. to make sure we know where weve been. Could you recap what we just covered? Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 201011

12. 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…) Im just having a bad day. Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 201012

14. 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 201014

15. SILENCE occurs for many reasons Validate and Encourage; but dont let incorrect answers confuse others. - Correct answers - Incomplete Answers - Unclear Responses - Seemingly Incorrect Answers - Clearly Wrong Responses I didnt know what you wanted. Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 201015

16. Lets Practice!!! Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 201016

17. 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 201017

18. Debate (change your mind debate) Press Conferences Fish-Bowls Role Playing Panel Discussions Discussions That Work - MSU TAP 201018

19. 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 201019