Social Technologies and Human Computer Interaction Blog

Running Discussions in Classroom Environments

Friday, October 22, 2010

IGI Global would like to thank Dr. Leonard Shedletsky for this contribution on social technologies and continuation on his topic of online discussion. His book, Cases on Online Discussion and Interaction: Experiences and Outcomes, was released by IGI Global.

At least one little book (Hale & City, 2006) on the topic of running discussion advises us to check the following:

Consider SAFETY issues: Do students feel comfortable with themselves to offer ideas?
Consider AUTHENTIC TALK: Are students offering thoughtful, considered statements and questions or talk just because they know they are supposed to talk?
Consider the level of CHALLENGE: Did students understand the text?
Consider OWNERSHIP: Are students carrying the primary load of working to understand the ideas in the text asking questions, supporting their assertions with the text and making observations?

Let me show you myself in action, fumbling to get some participation going in a 100-level ITV class. It’s not pretty.

What might I do differently next time?

References
Michael S. Hale and Elizabeth A. City. (2006). Leading student-centered discussions: Talking about texts in the classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

To take part in this discussion with Dr. Leonard Shedletsky, feel free to comment below.

Tags Leonard Shedletsky Social Computing Cyber Behavior

*The views expressed in IGI Global’s blogs are those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher. Product or company names used in posts are for identification purposes only. Inclusion of the names of the products or companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI Global of the trademark or registered trademark.

1 comments

alice goodwin
10/24/2010
My initial impression after watching the video was that students had not read the text and therefore were ill-equipped to discuss much of anything. Preparedness is most certainly a prerequisite and I think goes hand in hand with one's feeling of safety (comfort level). Authentic talk simply will not occur unless one has read the text. Having done so, one is then prepared to engage in quality discussion; discussion that delves beyond mere regurgitation of the facts; discussion that challenges students to "think outside the box". In my opinion, it would be impossible to feel a sense of ownership in such discussions, if I were unprepared.
Also, if I was unprepared, I would not come strolling into class late and proceed to walk right in front of my professor while he was speaking. Not only was this disrespectful it was also disruptive to all in the classroom.

I don't know if changing the seating arrangement in the classroom would be helpful-maybe. A roundtable forum might make the students actually feel more uncomfortable, less able to hide in the back rows, but this might be a good thing. Perhaps turning up the "heat" would pump up the "volume" and heighten discussion?

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