Some notes on the
design of discussion
Ron Sheese
CST – York University
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Discussion
Design A - analyze the educational situation including course goals D - design questions of type appropriate to goals and students D - develop questions I - implement questions E - evaluate questions Some
characteristics of questions Topic form vs. Problem/Issue form Trigger questions – capture attention, initiate reflection Exploration questions – brainstorm, promote divergence, suggest relevant ideas Integration questions – promote connections, promote convergence Solution-oriented questions – formulate, test, defend solutions Questions that ask the students to:
Purpose of Discussion
and of Specific Questions Recitation Prompt individual displays of brilliance Elicit information Illuminate differences within the group Reflection -- Grapple with ideas Promote inquiry (individual or collective) Promote analysis (individual or collective) Form and elaborate an argument (individual or collective) Reveal conceptual structure – Why? How? Reveal conceptual inconsistencies Dialogue Collective construction of new ideas Procedure Pose a stimulating question Brainstorm responses to the question Compare ideas that emerge Fuse discussion to the curriculum, course content/goals Who will compose the questions? Text authors Instructor Students Do the students need training in order to engage in meaningful discussion? If so, how will it be provided? |