Moving from Periods to Question Marks: Developing Strategies for Facilitating Interactive Classroom Discussion in UK 101

1. Moving from Periods to Question Marks: Developing Strategies for Facilitating Interactive Classroom Discussion in UK 101 Derek R. Lane, Ph.D. Associate Dean College of Communications & Information Studies May 20, 2008

2. Do You . . . Encourage students to question content? Ask students to give reasons for their answers? Stress how to think rather than what to think? Ask students to relate subject matter to personal experiences? Use higher-order questions rather than only knowledge or comprehension level questions? Ask students to work together collaboratively?

3. Workshop Group Formation Consider your personal experience with teaching in general and with UK 101 in particular Rank yourself from 1 (relative newbie) to 10 (master teacher) Arrange yourself in a circle around the room based on your experiences No one should be standing in front of you or behind you! Await further instructions

4. Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement Buzz Groups Think, Pair, Share SWOT ORID Problem Solving / Decision Making Debriefing

5. BUZZ GROUPS BUZZ 66 or BUZZ 54 # of people - amount of time Less Intimidating - Achieves Participation Always Provide a Clear Discussion Objective Identify the single most driving question (or concern) your group has about facilitating interactive discussion with UK 101 students.

6. THINK (write), PAIR, SHARE Create a Supportive Context Assemble groups Build rapport Encourage equal participation Assign specific roles (facilitator, recorder, etc.) Explain ground rules for participation Provide a Clear Discussion Objective What are some of the barriers to discussion? Why don�t some students participate?

7. Barriers to Discussion Student habits of passivity Failure to see the value of discussion Fear of criticism or looking stupid Push toward agreement for solution before alternative points of view have been considered Feeling that the task is to find the answer the instructor wants rather than to explore and evaluate possibilities

8. Two-Column Method GOAL: Identify specific characteristics of effective and defective discussions Recall discussions and seminars in which you have participated . . . List the characteristics of those that were worthwhile List the characteristics of poor discussions

9. Characteristics of Effective Discussions Experiential Learning We learn best when we are actively involved Student-Centered Student experiences are basis for discussion Focus on Critical Thinking Not �right answers� but inquiring minds Use of Questions Be flexible and adapt to student questions Questioning strategies are critical Integrate student responses into discussion Responses to Questions

10. Hyman�s (1987) Discussion Types Explaining Problem solving Debriefing Predicting Policy deciding

11. Leading a Discussion General Strategies Keep in mind the purpose of the discussion Plan how you will conduct each discussion session (spontaneous, unpredictable, requires careful planning) Discuss your expectations at the beginning and reinforce throughout Avoid questions with short (yes/no) answers

12. Leading a Discussion Setting the Context for Discussion Explain the ground rules for participation Give pointers about how to participate in a discussion Help students prepare for discussion Provide a common context for students Show a videotape Refer to a specific quotation Discuss a research study Consider UK 101 curriculum and course readings

13. Leading a Discussion Starting a Discussion Refer to any study questions you may have distributed Ask for student questions Phrase questions so students feel comfortable responding Probe students� understanding No single correct answer NOT �What is entropy?� �What about entropy stands out in your mind?� �Give an example of entropy.�

14. Planning Discussions The Introduction Create attention Motivate students to discuss topic/idea Clarify the purpose of the discussion Explain importance and relevance of topic The Body What questions will be asked to enable students to meet objectives (SWOT or ORID) Development shared equally The Conclusion Summarize major ideas developed in the discussion; tie entire discussion together What are students supposed to take away Preview how knowledge learned will relate to topics to be discussed in future classes.

15. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Assemble teams Build rapport Encourage equal participation Assign specific roles (facilitator, recorder, etc.) Explain ground rules for participation Provide a Clear Discussion Objective Starting discussion with a CONTROVERSY

16. Terri Schindler-Schiavo

17. Terri Schindler-Schiavo

18. Debriefing/Processing The Three-Question Model What?, So what?, Now what? Descriptive, Interpretive, Application Five-Stage Model How do you feel? What happened? Do you agree? Has this ever happened to you? What if . . .? The ICA Focused Conversation Method

19. Focused Conversation �Rational discussion is an open, focused, serious, collaborative dialogue of discovery where you speak so that you you can hear. In stating your opinion, you invite others to differ. You listen to their differing views and offer differing views of your own; moreover, you don�t merely exchange views with others, rather, you change your own views. You state your opinions experimentally, for the purpose of testing your thinking and developing your understanding.� Harvard�s Philosophy of Education Research Centre (Howard & Barton; Thinking Together, p.20, italics theirs).

20. Focused Conversation Objective - facts and external reality Reflective - immediate personal reaction (+-) Interpretive - meaning, values, implications Decisional - resolution, application Generate a Rational Objective (practical goal of the conversation) Clarify a misunderstanding Solve a specific problem Generate an Experiential Aim (inner impact) Establish team commitment and cohesion Create a positive open climate

21. ORID Focus the conversation Determine intent Rational objective Experiential aim Ensure a concrete beginning Brainstorm questions to realize RO and EA Select the questions you need Jiggle the question order Rehearse the conversation Prepare opening comments carefully Prepare the closing carefully Reflect on the conversation, the group, yourself

22. ORID Objective Reflective Interpretive Decisional Generate three-four specific questions for each ORID category (ORID MATRIX) Provide a Clear Discussion Objective How does what we�ve been learning about discussion in today�s workshop apply to how you teach UK 101 students?

23. ETHICS

24. Ethical Dilemma

25. APPLICATION Questions

26. Problem-Solving Make Specific Decisions Same Problem Specific Choice Simultaneous Report Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making Alligator River Story (if time)

27. Four Requisite Functions Problem Analysis Ability to Analyze the Problem Goal Setting Ability to Identify Appropriate Criteria for Making a Decision Identification of Alternatives Ability to Develop Alternative Choices from Which to Choose Evaluation of Positive and Negative Consequences Ability to Evaluate the Positive and Negative Aspects of Alternative Choices Prior to Making a Decision** Order is not important but all functions must be performed well!

28. Alligator River Story As an individual, you must make a specific decision about the offensiveness of each of the 5 characters Your group must make a specific decision about whose behavior is MOST offensive and rank order the 5 characters.

29. Workshop Summary Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement and Facilitating Interactive Discussion with UK 101 Students Buzz Groups Think Pair Share Two-Column Method SWOT ORID Interactive Discussions / Modeling

30. Resources McKeachie, W. J. (2002). Teaching tips: Strategies, research, and theory for college and university teachers. (pp. 30-51). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Davis, B. G. (1993). Tools for teaching. (pp.63-91). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Eble, K. E. (1988). The craft of teaching: A guide to mastering the professor�s art (2nd ed.). (pp. 83-97). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Stanfield, B. (2000). The art of focused conversation: 100 ways to access group wisdom in the workplace. Gabriola Island, Canada: New Society Publishers.

31. WORKSHOP CHALLENGEEncourage Classroom Questions, and Increase Student Engagement

32. WORKSHOP MATERIALSAVAILABLEhttp://www.uky.edu/~drlane/UK101