Improving classroom interaction through discussions

Discussion is important because it may help students to develop their high order thinking skills. Students need to be encouraged to participate in a meaningful discussion. By bringing them in that initial response might help them to see others’ response, reactions, insight in that whole class or small group discussions. Eventually, it may provide opportunities for new understandings.

For class discussion, teachers can follow these three steps – setting the stage, creating a dialogue and extending the learning activities. Teachers have to ensure that students can focus to the discussions because if they fail to do so, students will not be ready to move to any other responding that requires high-order thinking skills. How a teacher can make sure the students will focus? A teacher can direct the class so that the students can respond by giving general reactions to their reading. Teachers may use certain statement or questions to attract and gain students focus. The statement and questions should be general enough so that students can express their reactions freely than just try to find out the right answers. This of course will help students to understand their feelings and clarify their thinking about their selection of reading.