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12 Steps for Quality Class Discussions
1. Be Prepared. A quality discussion cannot materialize from nothing. Before class, read your assignments thoughtfully and write down your responses and possible questions. Know what you want to talk about before you enter into the discussion. Organize your train of thought before speaking. Write down your ideas and questions you wish to share with the class. Jot down key words for your ideas in your notebook to keep your ideas organized.
2. Support Your Opinion(s). Many college students feel that simply having an opinion justifies their standing on a particular issue. Your classmates will be more interested in what you feel rather than why you feel the way you do. Go beyond your initial reaction and opinion.
3. Stay On Track. Clarify yourself, but do not ramble. Try to analyze your discussion in your mind, and check to see if the rest of the class will be able to relate to your examples or theories. A quality class discussion entails direction and focus.
4. Speak Clearly and Loudly. Pronounce your words carefully and audibly enough so that everyone in the group will hear and be able to understand.
5. Listen With an Open Mind. Enter into the discussion with an open mind. Lay your prejudices aside long enough to at least consider what other students are saying. Don't stop listening to someone just because you disagree with their viewpoint.
6. Observe Other Students and How They Present Themselves. Much can be learned from your classmates. Don't talk excessively or out-of-turn. Wait to speak until you are sure that the student speaking has finished making their point(s).
7. Encourage Others To Speak. A wide span of participation will enhance the knowledge you gain from the discussion. Be alert to the ideas or opinions of other students. Look for nonverbal hints that someone else may be trying to express an opinion. Don't monopolize the class discussion. If you do, you run the risk of missing out on valuable opinions and information.
8. Be Sensitive to the Feelings of Other Students. Sometimes students will not directly express their feelings. However, these feelings still exist and can be detrimental to a quality discussion. Avoid petty arguments; they do not contribute to a quality discussion. Discuss the problem; don't argue over personal views or feelings.
Try to not take offense easily.
9. Challenge vs. Threat. This is often a serious problem in class discussion. A challenge is acceptable, but a threat is not. Don't question one of your classmates for a great amount of time. Avoid personal questions, which may or may not be relevant to the discussion. Invite questions and response to your statements from other students.
10. Avoid Distracting Behaviors. Don't pack up your books five minutes before class is dismissed. Use the discussion time for talking about what is being studied, not who was at last night's party. Avoid bringing up portions of the lecture or text which are irrelevant to the discussion.
11. Take Notes During the Discussion. Don't attempt to record every point, but listen for important or interesting ideas that stimulate your thinking. The professor may also emphasize some points that you will want to write down, but pay close attention to what other students say in the discussion.
12. Strive for Understanding. Try to understand the text or topic and what your classmates say in relation to it. If you do not understand one or the other, ask questions. It is the class or group's responsibility to make sure that everyone is learning and understanding.
Taken from Idea Paper No. 15, "Improving Discussions," Kansas State University, January 1986.
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