Discussion as a way of teaching - Blog Post #1 - January 18th

This article that I read for today's post was written like a list of how to create discussion with your students. I really liked some of the methods that Brookfield talks about. There's not just one way to do something, there's multiple ways! The method that I think would be the most helpful is when Brookfield talks about the Conversational Moves with the 3x5 index cards. I like the specific moves that are listed to help the students become more engaged with each other and be able to make conversation with each other. The conversational roles were also a good idea. It gives the students something to do in a discussion and a way to contribute to the group discussion. Everyone has something to contribute so no one can be left out and their voice is heard. The common claims for discussion is also helpful. They give good reasons as to why discussion helps students and how it helps students with their learning process. A few of the reasons include: hear other views (or explore diversity of perspectives), leave with questions (or increasing awareness of, and tolerance for, ambiguity or complexity), and attending to others, inclusionary, emphasis (or developing habits of collaborative learning). Overall I thought this article was very helpful; especially for future teachers. It gives you ways to help your students not only succeed with their learning but hopefully get along with each other and get to know each other. I think this can happen even when you’re having a discussion that is related to what you’re learning in the classroom. This is what I took away from the article and it will personally be helpful to me in the future.