1. Chapter 13 Getting the Most Out of Discussions

2. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 2 Why are discussions sometimes underappreciated? Their percentage of your total grade is often small They involve “ordinary people” instead of “experts”

3. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 3 The benefits of discussions Liven up ideas Encourage active learning Allow for superior reciting Provide an opportunity for powerful reflection

4. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 4 The way to get the most out of discussions Be prepared Know the rules Participate actively Make your points effectively Follow up promptly

5. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 5 How to prepare for discussions Keep up with your assignments If the discussion is on a specific reading, create summary sheets from your notes on that section If the discussion is on specific questions, prepare as though you’re taking an essay test

6. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 6 Ground rules for discussions What does the instructor expect? What is your discussion environment?

7. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 7 Learning the instructor’s expectations Find out the percentage of your grade that comes from discussions Read any guidelines for discussion the instructor has provided

8. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 8 Learn to use your class’s discussion software Follow the demo or tutorial Ask another student for help Contact your campus learning lab or skills center Ask your instructor Get help right away. Don’t put it off.

9. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 9 Participating actively in-class or online means being a good listener or e-listener Attitude: You have to want to listen Attention: Paying attention leads to concentration Adjustment: Discussions aren’t always predictable. You need to roll with the punches.

10. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 10 Maintain a positive attitude Find areas of interest: Find a link that turns a “boring” discussion into something that interests you Judge content, not delivery: Good points aren’t always made by skilled orators or great writers. Hold your fire: Don’t let the urge to lash out at a point you disagree with prevent you from following the discussion

11. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 11 Strive to pay attention Listen for ideas: Don’t become an automatic fact-storing machine. Ideas give facts context and meaning. Work at listening: Make an effort to remain engaged. You can’t listen passively. Resist distractions: Discourage distractions by sitting up close and by focusing on the speaker – and your notes. Use your “thought speed”: Devote any extra thinking time to mulling over the discussion’s ideas instead of daydreaming.

12. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 12 Cultivate a capacity for adjustment Be flexible note-taker: Avoid using a note- taking structure that is too rigid Exercise your mind: Occasionally sit in on or log into discussions topics that are new to you Keep your mind open: Don’t let “red flag” works or topics cause you to shut down

13. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 13 How to make discussion points effectively: AIM Accurate: Points should be well-supported and well-expressed Interactive: Make sure your points connect and that you’re mindful of other participants Memorable: Memorable points are easy to follow and fresh

14. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 14 Accurate points are well- supported and well-expressed Well-supported: Even if you give personal opinions, make sure you back them up with evidence Well-expressed: Strive to write or speak in clear, complete thoughts, paying attention to grammar and spelling

15. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 15 Interactive points are never made in isolation Connect to the discussion topic by making what you say or write relate to points that have already been made Be mindful of other participants by relating your comments to theirs but by doing so diplomatically

16. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 16 Memorable points are seldom confusing or boring Make your points easy to follow by including transitions and other signal words Strive for fresh, creative ideas. Don’t just repeat what you’ve read or heard

17. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.13 | 17 Following up on discussions Review in-class discussions as soon as possible before forgetting takes over Review online discussions by noting each post’s main idea as you read it