HOW SHOULD A TEACHER CONDUCT A GOOD DISCUSSION?

Contributed by Blesilda A. Tamoro, Teacher III, Sta. Rosa Elementary School, Pilar

Good discussion are fundamental to teaching. Discussions can bring result that seldom occur without them. For example, they can promote pupil’s diligent learning. Through well conducted discussions, pupil’s interest and attentiveness are increased. Every learner present can be encouraged to become actively engaged in the learning process. As a teacher and those he teaches ask questions, all those who are present will be able to gain skills and motivation that can help their individual study.

Good discussions are more friendly conversation in which opinions are shared by one another. It increases understanding; they broaden and deepen each learner’s understanding of the subject matter being discussed. Good discussion also reduce misunderstanding. Learner’s comments reveal how they are understanding the topic being taught by the teacher. This help the teacher know when to further develop, emphasize or review particular lesson.

In conducting a discussion, a teacher can use questions so as to encourage those present pupils to participate in discussion. They can help the pupil’s understand the subject matter, think about it more deeply and relate it to their future lessons. A teacher should also encourage unity among those pupils he teaches, as the pupils share their own experiences and insights and listen and respond to one another respectfully, they become more unified and create a positive atmosphere for learning.

The teacher should also find ways of how all the learners participate. Most lesson manuals provide questions for getting discussions started and keeping them going. After a teacher have planned the questions, he can ask himself of what else to be done or what method he can use so as to enrich the discussion Ask questions that encourage thoughtful comments and help pupils truly ponder on the lesson.

 A teachers can use a variety of teaching method to begin a discussion and help them going. Those whom he teaches will benefit from each other’s participation. However a teacher may find himself asking for comments only from those who raise their hands. Sometimes pupils choose not to participate because they have no opinion about the topic or prefer to give others chance to speak.

It is important to end discussion at the right time. The importance of a discussion is lost when it last too long. The teacher should manage the time. He must know when the lesson should end. Likewise he must give the pupil a time limit. In addition to bringing the discussion to a close at the right time, it is important to end the discussion in the right way. Then the teacher should summarize the main points covered during the discussion or he can invite a pupil to do so.

REFERENCE:

Tamoro, Blesilda A. How a teacher should conduct a good discussion? Bataan: Bataan Chronicle Press, 2009.