Discussion as a Way of Teaching

I've always enjoyed classroom discussions in my educational experience, so I've always had this vision that my future classroom will utilize discussion. This article really helped cement that idea. Right off the bat, the author discusses a situation that Steve Preskill experienced while he was teaching a course on educational ethics. He opened his classroom to a discussion on an article he found on a schools refusal to honor a DNR order. What he experienced was eye opening. I think it's important to remember that discussion, like Mr. Preskill's example, opens up minds and gives way for healthy debate. I've learned a lot more through my peers and listening to their points of view than I could from a textbook or professor alone. It was interesting to consider the differences between the words conversation, dialogue and discussion. Those words had always been pretty synonymous with me, but this piece helped distinguish them a little more. Conversation being more informal and relaxed, while discussion is more structured and has an end goal.

I also really liked the fifteen benefits of discussion in chapter 2. With changing views and so much information out there, students are able to experience it all through talking with each other. Even if they can't agree, it's incredibly beneficial for them to understand there's much more outside of their individual box. Discussion will not always be nice and pretty, but I consider that the best part about it. I think the authors laid it all out really well and encourages me to use discussion in my classroom.