3e: Facilitating Engaging Class Discussions
In this module, faculty learn activities they can use to launch productive discussions, including Hatful of Quotes, Sentence Completions, and Fishbowl techniques. The module also helps instructors balance student participation using wait time, prompts to manage dominant talkers, and techniques to encourage quieter students while also limiting their own talking.
To satisfy the module requirements, faculty must apply at least one technique, such as using a Fishbowl activity, wait time, or prompting.
This module is one of six modules under ACUE’s unit on Using Active Learning Techniques.
Advising Subject Matter Expert(s)
Featured Faculty
Module References
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Baxter, J., & Ter Bush, R. (2010). Discussions. Retrieved from http://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching-guides/instructional-methods/pages/discussions.aspx
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Cashin, W. E. (2011). Effective classroom discussions (Idea Paper #49). IDEA. Retrieved from http://ideaedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IDEA_Paper_49.pdf
Cerbin, B. (2010, April 23). Collaborative learning techniques workshop handouts. Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning, UW‐La Crosse. Retrieved from http://www.uwlax.edu/catl/studentlearning/presentations/collaborativelearningtechniqueshandout.pdf
Chase, B., Germundsen, R., Cady Brownstein, J., & Schaak Distad, L. (2001). Making the connection between increased student learning and reflective practice. Educational Horizons, 79, 143–147.
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Francek, M. (2006, August 14). Promoting discussion in the science classroom using gallery walks. NSTA WebNews Digest. Retrieved from http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=52391
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Sidelinger, R. J. (2010). College student involvement: An examination of student characteristics and perceived instructor communication behaviors in the classroom. Communication Studies, 61, 87–103.
Twigg, C. A. (2015, November–December). Improving learning and reducing costs: Fifteen years of course description. Change. Retrieved from http://www.changemag.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/2015/November-December%202015/course-redesign_full.html
Wieman, C. (2010). Basic instructor habits to keep students engaged. Retrieved from the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia website: http://www.cwsei.ubc.ca/Files/InstructorHabitsToKeepStudentsEngaged_CWSEI.pdf
Wieman, C. (2016). Observation guide for active-learning classroom. Retrieved from the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia website: http://www.cwsei.ubc.ca/resources/files/Active-learning-class-observation-guide_Wieman.pdf
