Class Discussion Skills

We must prepare our students
      to participate in classroom discussion
            by describing, modelling,
                 and providing opportunities for them
                       to practise classroom
                              discussion skills.
What are these skills?

1. To be open to new ideas
2. To make eye contact with the speaker
3. To maintain an attentive posture
4. To be able to organise their thoughts
5. To speak clearly
6. To take notes
7. To allow the speaker to express ones thoughts without interruption
8. To refrain from monopolizing the discussion
9. To refrain from ridiculing other students' ideas 

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I. To be open to new ideas:

1. Expose students to different perspectives of a problem or issue.
2. Ask all students to read all or part of a book, take notes on a lecture, or view a film to provide the necessary background information for the discussion.

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II. To make eye contact with the speaker:

1. Look up at the speaker as he/she speaks.
2. Occasionally, nod your head or smile to show your agreement.

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III. To maintain an attentive posture:

1. Indicate that you are listening attentively by occasionally nodding your head and keeping eye contact with the speaker.
2. Avoid twiddling a pen or pencil as you are listening.

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IV. To be able to organise one's thoughts:

1. Put down on paper the ideas as they come to you.
2. Don't rush to give a response.

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V. To speak clearly:

1. Look up at the others as you speak.
2. Sit up properly as you speak; don't slouch.

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VI. To take notes:

1. If you are the 'reporter', take down notes systematically.
2. Devise your own short forms and make sure that you have sufficient pencil and paper nearby.

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VII. To allow the speaker to express his thoughts without interruption:

1. Give him sufficient time to speak.
2. If you were the group leader or moderator, be alert to stop inappropriate interruptions from other members while the speaker is talking.

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VIII. To refrain from monopolizing the discussion:

1. Keep track of the time that you have been speaking.
2. Check whether the other members of the group are too quiet

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IX. To refrain from ridiculing other students' ideas:

1. Don't laugh when a speaker makes a mistake.
2. Let the speaker finish his speech before you interrupt.                                                                                                                                                             Uploaded by,                  
                                                                                              Anusha S (AP/CSE)