TEACHING CHANNEL: Discussions/ Collaborative learning environment

Developing Great Speaking and Listening Skills

153 Videos Showing Student-Centered Discussions Need new strategies for getting your students to have thoughtful discussions? Find ideas you can use tomorrow, like “popcorn shares,” “passing notes,” and warm-up exercises. Case Study of a Teacher: Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment Last week we got a glimpse into the collaborative, analysis-rich classroom that David Olio has created. This week, we unpack some of the strategies and routines he utilizes to facilitate the collaborative learning environment that we see in his videos. Share-a-thon: Managing Mayhem Have you shared a favorite resource for Managing the Mayhem? Join our “smart mob” from Sept. 19 to Oct. 3 and you could win a prize!

Sarah's Notes

Strategies for Student-Centered Discussions Sometimes I get sidetracked by thinking too much about the tasks students are going to be engaging in, instead of focusing on learning moments. Facilitating whole-class discussions is a prime example of this. I get worried about dead silence and not having the right questions or answers. These are the very concerns that can often turn a discussion into a task, instead of a vibrant exchange of ideas. So when I prepare, I do so as though I'm a participant. I do my homework too, I generate responses to the reading, and I come with a genuine curiosity. Being a part of the discussion flattens the hierarchy of the class, and generates a different kind of enthusiasm. Take a look at this video and share how you get your students engaged in classroom discussions. P.S. It’s time for our next survey: What do you look for in Teaching Channel videos? You have until Oct. 12 to share your feedback.