Facilitating Class Discussions

Facilitating Class Discussions involves creating an engaging classroom environment where all students feel encouraged to share ideas and perspectives.

Resources

• Leading Discussions: Harvard University
• Leading Effective Class Discussions: Duke University
• Facilitating Effective Discussions: University of Waterloo
• John H. Clark, “Designing Discussions as Group Inquiry,” College Teaching (1988), v. 36 (4), p. 14-143.
• Peter Frederick, “The Dreaded Discussion: Ten Ways to Start” To Improve the Academy. 10.

Books in the CTL Library

• Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms by Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill present discussion as a vital practice for cultivating democratic learning environments where students engage critically, listen respectfully, and share responsibility for knowledge creation.