Incorperating Discussion in the Classroom

In the webinar “Questioning for Classroom Discussion: Developing Students as Thinkers and Learners”, Jackie Walsh and Beth Sattes highlight the importance of discussion to the learning process. Discussion differs from questions and requires planning in order to be successful. Discussion implies collaborating with peers and sharing text-based ideas in order to deepen understanding.  As a skills-based activity, discussion requires higher order thinking skills such as speaking, collaborating, connection-making, and using knowledge. These skills are emphasized in the Common Core Standards, and discussion is a good way to meet many of the standards. An often-forgotten stage of a discussion is incorporating a time for reflection. In order for students to process what they have learned, they need to have time to reflect on the discussion.