What is a guided discussion method?
What is a guided discussion method? Explain the structure of the guard discussion method.
Guided discussion is an active learning technique that encourages students to reflect on their own experiences,
explore alternative ways of thinking, connect to a topic, and improve analytical skills.
As students participate, they demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the course topics, promoting a deeper comprehension of the material. You can use guiding questions to help students create content together, allowing you to become a facilitator of information rather than the lecturer.
While much of the class discourse takes place in the Discuss It! forums, small teams of students working in Group Think increase students’ interactivity with each other as they construct, rather than acquire, knowledge. Students can reflect on the course content and communicate privately with you in My Journal.
Also Read: What is a scientific method?
students can expand their basic knowledge through conversation.
There are different types of questions in the guided discussion method:
- Overhead/How/Why: This category of questions is directed to the whole group.
- Rhetorical: Rhetorical questions prompt group thought and thinking.
- Direct: direct questions are asked of a particular student.
- Reverse: In response to a question, another question is asked.
- Relay: Relay the question to the group if asked by a student.
An effective question is that which is suitable for the subject, contains an objective, organizes main and subordinate points logically, and guides students in their preparation. Guided discussion is effective when it is planned and followed by a logical sequence. Below is the structure of guided discussion:
- Objectives: Before starting the guided discussion, the instructor should have clear objectives.
- Introduction: The instructor should introduce the discussion simply by posing a question or telling a story to help get the discussion off the ground.
- Discussion: The instructor should try to keep students focused on the topic. It demands attention from the instructor and continual evaluation of students’ knowledge.
- Summary: Before moving to the next section, the instructor should summarize the previous section.
- Conclusion: Review and recap are indispensable in guided discussion to have an idea of what was covered in the discussion. This will help the student grasp the “larger picture.” The instructor should clarify any questions (Kinne, 2000).
It indicates that the guided discussion method has a clear meaning and is designed for the specific purpose to stimulate the thought of students by relating new information with previous knowledge.