Discussion As a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms

by Stephen D. Brookfield; Stephen Preskill

• ISBN13: 9780787944582
• ISBN10: 0787944580
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

1999 Critics' Choice Selection of the American Educational Studies Association In this guide to planning, conducting, and evaluating lively discussions, authors Stephen Brookfield and Stephen Preskill offer a variety of practical ideas, tools, and techniques for creating democratic classrooms. They suggest exercises to get discussion started, strategies for maintaining its momentum, ways to elicit a diversity of views and voices, ideas for creative groupings and formats, and processes to encourage student participation. In exploring the role of the teacher in discussion, they address the tensions and possibilities arising from ethnic, cultural, social class, and gAnder differences. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize how discussion fosters democratic participation and enhances learning. Additionally, they review how to balance the voices of students and teachers, while still preserving the moral, political, and pedagogic integrity of discussion. From the early stages of preparing students to participate in discussion to the final stages of evaluating its meaning and effects, the authors provide a comprehensive guide to realizing the promises--and avoiding the pitfalls--of this way of teaching. Each chapter contains numerous techniques, suggestions, and applications that can be adapted to a wide range of discussion settings. Sample exercises and formats are provided throughout, including case studies of successful practices. Discussion as a Way of Teaching is an accessible, practical resource for teachers, trainers, faculty, administrators, professional developers, facilitators, and other educational leaders. It will be useful to anyone who uses discussion to help people learn.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii	(12)
Gratitudes	xix	(2)
The Authors	xxi
1 Discussion in a Democratic Society	1	(21)
2 How Discussion Helps Learning and Enlivens Classrooms	22	(21)
3 Preparing for Discussion	43	(21)
4 Getting Discussion Started	64	(21)
5 Keeping Discussion Going Through Questioning, Listening, and Responding	85	(18)
6 Keeping Discussion Going Through Creative Grouping	103	(24)
7 Discussion in Culturally Diverse Classrooms	127	(24)
8 Discussing Across Gender Differences	151	(20)
Eleni Roulis
9 Keeping Students' Voices in Balance	171	(23)
10 Keeping Teachers' Voices in Balance	194	(23)
11 Evaluating Discussion	217	(12)
References	229	(8)
Index	237