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Facilitating a Discussion Group

Facilitating a Discussion Group. TA Workshop Winter 2008. Ground Rules. 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 .

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Facilitating a Discussion Group

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  1. Facilitating a Discussion Group TA Workshop Winter 2008

  2. Ground Rules • 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

  3. Today’s Topics • Encouraging Student engagement • Guiding and evaluating discussion • Common missteps

  4. 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?

  5. 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, think-pair-share, informal debate

  6. Encouraging Student Engagement Small Group Work Exercise: In groups of 3-4, discuss your best practices for encouraging students engagement

  7. 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

  8. Encourage Student Engagement • Create an inclusive environment • Positively reinforce contributions • Use a ‘token system’ • Introduce diverse activities • Games • Matrices • Worksheets • Group work

  9. Guide the Discussion • Keep the discussion focused • Take notes – summarize at end • Be alert for discussion breakdown • Prevent heated or personal arguments • Bring closure to the discussion

  10. 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

  11. *Top Tips* 4 Common Missteps • Your contributions? • Don’t lecture • Avoid vague questions • Don’t play favourites • Don’t answer your own question

  12. 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!

  13. EDC: Your Additional Resource • Questions? Feel free to contact me Joe = joe_lipsett@carleton.ca 520 - 2600 ext 8560 • Visit EDC’s website for workshops & TA information: www.carleton.ca/edc • Join our facebook group: Carleton TA Support

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