ESOP Cultural and Profssional Environments, Part 2

Question 1: Discuss some ways to plan ahead for class discussions.

Answer 1: It is a mistake to think lively, equitable class discussions occur spontaneously as a result of a well-prepared lecture or hands-on activity. Discussions that encourage learning and teach communication skills take planning, preparation and forethought. Rules need to be developed either by the teacher or with input from the students; they need to be clearly explained, understood and impartially enforced. Here are some questions teachers should consider as they plan discussion activities:What Is The Goal? E.g., to discover new material, explore other perspectives, encourage students to share relevant experiences?What Form Of Participation Will Be Used? E.g., one-on-one dialogue, small group project, large class discussion?What Kind Of Student Preparation Is Required? E.g., reading assigned selections, researching additional data using outside resources, writing an essay?How Will Participation Be Evaluated? E.g., listening skills, individual contributions, ability to interact with others?

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Question 2: Discuss methods to encourage individual student participation in classroom activities.

Answer 2: Calling upon a particular student can be both motivating and intimidating for the student depending upon the individual and the situation, and therefore a wise teacher carefully considers how to use the strategy effectively. When a question is asked, a problem posed or a solution required, students need time to think about the information presented and formulate a response. Even if the answer was unexpected or not correct, it is important to mention some aspect that was correct and then explain how the response could have been improved. Encourage questions by telling the class that other students probably need the same information but do not think to raise the issue. At the beginning of the class, require different students to summarize the lesson from the previous day, pose a prepared question from the assigned reading material or describe something they learned in class that they applied to their lives. Acknowledging every contribution encourages additional participation.

Question 3: Discuss methods to encourage participation in small group discussions.

Answer 3: Dividing the class into small groups (five or less) gives students who might not be comfortable speaking in front of the entire class—but will actively participate in a more intimate arena—a forum in which to shine. One potential problem with these group projects, however, is ensuring that every student has an opportunity to participate. There may be some students who by sheer force of their personality overwhelm less demonstrative students. One way to prevent that is for the teacher to assign each student a specific function that must be completed. He will receive a separate grade for his contribution and it will be included in the evaluation of the group project as a whole. It is important for the teacher to join each group to observe how each student interacts with the others in the group. The ability to work as an effective member of a team is an important skill in today’s business world.

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