Classroom Discussion

Classroom discussion means that expressing the thoughts between the teacher and student or student and student on some specific topic.  There are at least 3 important instructional objectives of this method. It improves students’ thinking because when they are sharing their own thoughts, they need to be prepared and express effectively. It also improves student involvement and engagement because when they are in discussion, they are in interaction and there will be a connection between the students. This connection improves them. Also, their communication skills are also improved by the discussion method, because when they are talking, they need to be clear and effective. To do that they need to develop their thinking process. 

If you use this type in your class as a teacher, firstly you need to have a clear question to start the discussion. The question can be better if its’ type is about real life.  Before asking the question to the students, you need to be prepared. I mean you should have a plan for the discussion. In that plan, you should think the purpose of the question, think the students if the question is proper for them or not and choose an instructional approach. When you ask the question to the student, you should wait for the students’ response. This is called wait-time and according to the researchers, you should wait at least 3 seconds for that. Also, the seating arrangement is also important factor for discussion time in the classes. The U shape or Circle shape is better because in these shapes, students can be in an interaction and show the others easily when someone talks. When the students are talking, you should listen the student and record their sentences. At the end, you should give an explanation about the question and express your ideas.