Facilitating a
Discussion
Group
TA Workshop
Winter 2008
Ground Rules
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Interrupt me at any time
Please ask questions
I don’t have all the answers
My purpose is to share with you
techniques and best practices and
make you aware of resources
Today’s Topics
• Encouraging Student engagement
• Guiding and evaluating discussion
• Common missteps
Personal Brainstorming
Take a few moments to consider
these questions before we share as
a group:
• What facilitation techniques have
you seen used in discussion
groups?
• What facilitation techniques have
you been using in your discussion
groups?
Preparation
• How do you prepare for your discussion
group?
• Preparation
– Plan, prepare your students, ground rules,
issues surrounding prep time
• Start the discussion
– Refer to questions, list of key points, use a
partner activity, opening questions, thinkpair-share, informal debate
Encouraging Student Engagement
Small Group Work Exercise:
In groups of 3-4, discuss your best
practices for encouraging students
engagement
Guiding and Engaging
Required: volunteer to lead the
discussion
Question for group: How do you help
guide the discussion?
-Keep it going
-Keep it on track
Encourage Student Engagement
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Create an inclusive environment
Positively reinforce contributions
Use a ‘token system’
Introduce diverse activities
– Games
– Matrices
– Worksheets
– Group work
Guide the Discussion
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Keep the discussion focused
Take notes – summarize at end
Be alert for discussion breakdown
Prevent heated or personal
arguments
• Bring closure to the discussion
Evaluate the discussion
• What’s the point of evaluation?
• One minute paper
• Verbal / written feedback
– Clearest / Muddiest Point
• Conduct informal evaluation
– Quiz at beginning of next discussion
*Top Tips*
4 Common Missteps
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Your contributions?
Don’t lecture
Avoid vague questions
Don’t play favourites
Don’t answer your own question
Most of all…
• There are no hard and fast rules to
discussion
• Aim for discussions that are:
– Prepared
– Open
– Interesting
– Secure
– Educational
– And have fun!
EDC: Your Additional Resource
• Questions? Feel free to contact me
Joe
=
[email protected]
520 - 2600 ext 8560
• Visit EDC’s website for workshops & TA
information: www.carleton.ca/edc
• Join our facebook group: Carleton TA
Support