Blog 3: Discuss
This class is largely based on class discussion because of media's collaborative and mass framework. There is not just one voice in media, but a large collective where anyone and everyone that wants a say can have it. What are some ways to improve and facilitate class discussion in general for our class?
Each of you will have to lead discussion (hopefully on an article that personally interests you) once during the class. What expectations do you have of your classmates during discussion? What expectations do you have of yourself during discussion? Do you have any tips for leading discussion that may help one of your fellow classmates when it is their time to lead discussion?
Each of you will have to lead discussion (hopefully on an article that personally interests you) once during the class. What expectations do you have of your classmates during discussion? What expectations do you have of yourself during discussion? Do you have any tips for leading discussion that may help one of your fellow classmates when it is their time to lead discussion?
posted by cmartin at 2:39 PM
24 Comments:
The draw backs to open forum discussion seem to be that some people just simply choose not to partake. A lot of times it's not even their fault, many people just don't feel comfortable talking in front of their class. I feel like one way to improve class discussion would be to gear the discussion in such a way where everyone feels obligated to make a comment or have a question - if that's possible.
When we individually have to lead a discussion I would expect a thorough knowledge of the topic and also an interesting way to present it. There should be questions to ask of the class and also room for the class to ask question of the presenters. I think the best tip I could give is to not get rambling on too much about one thing. I've noticed at my time at UF that's the best way for a class to go to sleep. My best professors are the ones that are constantly challenging the class to think and keep up with the ideas at present.
Class discussion is so important as the sharing of ideas and opinions can bring an entire different light to a subject. Plus, it is interesting and fun to discuss topics with others. We have a very diverse class, so one would expect a varied discussion with new ideas and outlooks. In order to improve class discussion, the plan of advertising future topics a week in advance will be very helpful. Topics should be announced in class and displayed on class website as planned. Hopefully, all classmates will read the articles in advance. Once read, people can analyze and think through what they have digested. I would like everyone to have a few questions in mind or written down to share on the article for that day. Everyone should come to class well rested and ready to join in and participate. The presentor should be organized, prepared and well versed on the topic at hand. It might be fun to think of a unique starting statement such as a quote or a picture depicting the topic.
I agree with Josh. There is nothing worse, than getting up in front of a group to talk, and you realize no one is listening or paying attention. There is also the fear that everyone stares at you, but has no response. I think the posting of the article will encourage everyone to read in advance and come ready to discuss. As far as rambling, I guess the KIS rule should be kept in mind...Keep It Simple. If the presentation is short, and everyone pays attention and is intrigued, then there will be plenty of time for class interaction.
I think the important thing to focus on when leading any discussion is to pick topics that interest the group who will be discussing them. Since our classmates are all normal college age students who have grown up in similar times, it will be easy for us to discuss topics that we have all experienced in similar ways. It is very interesting to hear all of the different takes people have on each subject we discuss. I look forward to getting into more controversial subjects as time goes on because who doesn't love a good argument...The discussion would definetly be facilitated by choosing topics that everyone can understand and relate to, which is always difficult, but definetly the goal to aim for.
---in response to Jon R.---
I think your statement of it being impossible to learn and gain knowledge without discussion is a bit dramatic. Some people learn knowledge better by just listening, which goes also to what josh said about people not partaking in the discussion. It is good for everyone to participate, but i know some people don't feel comfortable talking in front of a group, and that should be respected as well.
Our current method of carrying out class discussion has been effective. Our class seems to interact well im discussions. The set up of the classroom seems to be to our advantage when class discussions are in action. The tables are formed to facilitate conference and exchange of opinions. I expect challenging discussions and readings that make the class ponder different ideas from my classmates and myself.
I generally have a very hard time speaking my opinions in front of a class. However, this class has helped me to participate in class discussions because of its small size and casual atmosphere. I feel that this quality is the best way to facilitate class discussion. The fact that students can speak freely without permission helps the class obtain the comfortable flow of a conversation like that one would have with friends. However, I feel that any further attempts to improve class discussions, such as making discussion mandatory for each person, would actually deteriorate the quality of discussion.
When I lead my discussion I expect my classmates to have read the article and feel comfortable in providing their own opinions and thoughts on the subject. To facilitate discussion I feel that I should be very open to all ideas presented. Further, I should try and create an atmosphere which is comfortable and open to creativity. The best way to create this atmosphere is to be neutral on the subject at hand and try to include everybody in the discussion.
--In response to Ashley--
I agree. I feel that each person should read the article in advance. Further, they should print out the article and take notes on the paper. These notes could be a summary of the article, particular questions they would like to ask, or just opinions they would care to express. I think this would help to improve our class discussions. Great ideas, I should have thought of that in my response!
The true worth of a class discussion can be measured by one thing – awkward pauses. Thus far we have managed to avoid having too many of those horrible moments of silence, so I think there is little room for improvement. As with every open forum, there are some people who choose to sit back and listen, but that is only a problem if they are not voicing their opinions because they feel that they can’t. Mandating that everyone speaks won’t improve discussions, because then they will lose the laid back, comfortable atmosphere that currently makes them work so well. Since I already did my discussions, my expectations have already been met. It was a relief to me that my classmates had opinions on the subject and felt free to voice them. My expectations for myself were to make everyone feel comfortable enough to speak up, which I hope I accomplished. My tips are to leave some room to go off on tangents, for some of the things people say can lead you down a better path. Also, don’t be nervous, it’s really not that bad!
In response to stephen r.:
I agree that not requiring students to raise their hands to speak encourages discussion. Since it's more conversational than question and answer, there is more of a constant dialogue instead of huge gaps of silence. The casual atmosphere also helps the more shy people like myself feel free to speak up.
--in response to msimhan--
I completely agree with you when you say that mandating people to talk will make class discussions lose part of their essence. So far the class dicussions have just been a comfortable exchange of opinions, and I wouldn't like to see that changed to a formal, up-tight atmosphere.
So far in class I have enjoyed the opportunities to have open discussion on topics presented. A downfall from having an open discussion setting is that some people seem not to voice their opinions about topics covered. I feel a discussion should encompass many ideas and allow people to absorb what others say. I do suggest that we continue to post questions and ideas pertaining to our own articles to get the class thinking. This helps a lot in getting the class informed and on track to voicing their opinions.
As far as my expectations are when my time comes to present an article… help me get my points across by not holding back. Those types of discussions seem to be the most fun and most informative.
-- reply to stephen r. --
I agree with Stephen that we should make sure to maintain a neutral stance on the article we present. This will allow us to facilitate the discussion without bias or interruption. But on the other hand, I personally think that’s more difficult than it sounds. Personally the article I choose to deliver in class will be an article that draws my interest, so during discussion, it just might be difficult to facilitate discussion and hold back with what the article means to you. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who feels that way...
I really enjoy listening and participating in our class discussions. I think the best way to improve the discussions is for us to make sure that we carefully read and understand the article and talking points before we come to class. Just as the presenter must be prepared to lead the discussion, we all should be prepared to answer questions and participate in the discussion. I also strongly feel that when it’s time for us to lead the discussion, we should carefully choose our article. We should be sure to pick an article that we are truly interested in and are passionate about. How else can we expect our classmates to be interested in and passionate about our discussion? I expect my classmates to carefully read my article and think about my talking points before coming to class. Meanwhile, I expect myself to choose an article that will be fun to read, and I will focus on keeping my discussion points interesting.
In response to Josh W.:
I agree with you that the open forum discussion does allow some to sit back and relax during class. I know that some people are not comfortable with speaking out and voicing their opinions, but I do think it is a crucial part of the class. In my Political Science course this semester, each student is required to submit a question in our weekly discussions. This does require the Professor to facilatate the discussion more, but it also requires everyone to participate.
I absolutely love discussion in class! I truly enjoy hearing comments from my fellow classmates, especially with differing opinions. Discussions really encourage students to understand the topic and subjects of the class. However, I do think there is room for improvement. I wish that more students would participate. While some may still need to find their voice, I think that others who regularly add to discussions should try to manage their own. I'm not saying that anyone is outspoken, nor am I insisting that some mute their inputs, but we should choose our words. No one should try to dominate a discussion with their own opinion because most likely, there are some who may think the opposite- and that could be the reason why they are not speaking out.
Another point I'd like to make is that even if we are not presenting, it is our job to be prepared. Everyone should read the article, and come to class all ready knowing what points we would like to bring up. Basically, I think students should think of each discussion day as if it were their own. I look forward to future discussions!
i have enjoyed the discussions among us so far in class. it's always nice to have a large, open discussion in which varying thoughts and opinions can be shared. one thing that fuels the success of our class discussion has been the classroom setup. having tables, which facilitate interaction (as opposed to desks lined up in rows), has contributed much to free-flowing discussion. it would be even better if we had one large "roundtable" where everyone could sit.
when facilitating discussion, i definitely think it's useful for the facilitator to have potential questions ready as a guide: in the event that the discussion takes a turn, the guide makes getting "back on track" much easier. neutrality is also important for the facilitator, as imposing biased views on the discussion ruins the objective: to DISCUSS the topic at hand.
--in response to mala--
i agree: it's only an issue if people feel that they can't voice their opinions. some people prefer listening rather than speaking. it doesn't mean that they aren't participating, however. different people have different thresholds, and when a certain "comfort level" has been met, greater oral participation may be the result. i definitely think class participation as a whole will highten by the end of the term as we all become accustomed to each other.
The class disscussions have been going really well. The expections I have for my classmates would be to stay on topic, and respect what other people are saying, while still making an argument. It can really be nerve racking to lead a discussion, so it is good when the leader asks a question and the class really gets to the point and can toss around ideas and opions to each other. Everyone can offer something, and it is a great way to learn about the topic of the discussion. I sincerely try to participate in the discussions. But sometimes i just don't have an answer, or people are faster than me to saying something, and I wont get a chance to talk. I try to be respectful for eveyone, but if I feel strongly about something, I will try to explain it with as much justification as possible. I don't know if I have any tips, because I have never lead a discussion, but I like it when the leader points out what something has mentioned based off teh article, and goes off that. We can still stay on the same basis of the article, but it's good when teh leader can cover different aspects of it.
--in response to Jordan-
Sometimes I feel like I might be talking too much in class too. Although not so much in this class, but when have critiques in my art studios, I am afraid that people think that I am always talking, and so I'll keep myself from saying something about someones. But disscussion is good, becasue the more people talk, the more either can gain from the experience.
And don't worry, you dont talk too much.
Depending on the class, in class discussion is either beneficial or detrimental, necessary or not. In a class like Writing Through Media, class discussion is helpful as each member is exposed to media in a different way and has different levels of experience with said media. For example, I understand that Tennison has a strong grip on the music world, as he is always "connected to his I-pod" where as I have a greater understanding of the video game industry. These separate proficiencies can help to benefit eachother, as his music-influenced discussions can give me a different perception, and my video-game knowledge may influence his own perceptions. For a class such as science or math, class discussion is unnecessary as the subject is reduced to formulas and facts: opinions are unneeded. Perceptions are unneeded. There is only one "true" perception or idea.
To help facilitate our ENG1311, I have some ideas of my own, some of which familiar to those mentioned above. For one, I think everyone should participate. It helps to maintain a fluid focus on the subject as well as create a more comfortable discussion and makes everyone feel OK to talk. Secondly, in discussion, it is necessary to have support or evidence for your words. A claim or opinion is nothing without something to back it up (whether this means bringing documentation or referring to some outside source).
Lastly, discussion should not become overly serious. I feel this may alienate some or bring down the openness of discussion, countering the very purpose of discussion itself
---In response to Blake---
I agree with Blake 100% that simply the layout of the room helps to coordinate class discussion and create a good talking environment. Everyone feels together at a table and that is necessary, though I do also agree that one larger table would be a tad better. Also, it's true that having a facilitator keeps things focused and everyone together. Sometimes discussions can turn into 4 or 5 independent conversations and that's when it's time for a coordinator to bring things back to focus.
Fabulous suggestions! I hope you have read your classmates' responses and taken them to heart. If so, we should continue to have good class discussions.
Oh, and if I forget in the flurry of taking up the video game review, someone remind me to push the two tables together. They shouldn't be that heavy and that way we can create the one large table a couple of people metioned.
--in response to Cesar--
Good point about not holding back in discussion. I think this helps the discussion develop into its full potential. Sometimes it might even help bring the presenter to his or her next point. This way the discussion flows more easily.
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