In Class Discussions

Abstract: Technology in this generation

has become increasingly prominent. Many
classrooms are based around technology
including online discussions. Face- to
face and in class discussions are more
beneficial to the students learning than
online discussions. By having classroom
discussions it teaches students how to talk
in front of a class and form educated
thoughts based on what other students
say. Classroom discussions can enhance
classroom participation and lead to
students asking more effective questions.
Keywords: Interactive students, Face-toface, classroom discussions, Classroom
participation, active classroom, online
discussions vs. in class discussions.
Introduction
Educators have found that through
discussions in class, their students have
been participating and learning more
efficiently. Allowing students to engage
with other students, and feel comfortable
talking in front of peers. Online
discussions can be ineffective because
students can look at their peers work and
relate it to their own words without
reading the material itself.
Perks of in class discussion
Discussion based classrooms help produce
classroom participation and critical
thinking that is needed in a classroom.
Students learn how to better communicate
among their peers, while discussing the
material they learned. According to
Brookfield & Preskill (1999) The benefits
of discussion include helping students
develop critical understanding, selfawareness, appreciation for diverse
perspectives and the ability to take action
(p.104). Classroom based discussions
generate a better understanding of the
given material, they enhance the learning
of all students around the discussion and
creates a good two way conversation
among students and teachers. Professors
at the University of Applebee and Langer
and Professors at the University of
Wisconsin, Madison Nystrand and
Gamoran (2003) did a study about how in

class discussions correlated positively with

learning English literacy development that
they were supposed to know. According to
Applebee & Langer and Nystrand &
Gamoran (2003) The results suggest that
students whose classroom literacy
experiences emphasize discussion-based
approaches in the context of high
academic demands internalize the
knowledge and skills necessary to engage
in challenging literacy tasks on their own
(p. 1). There are many ways to have
discussions whether it be online, in class
or in small group. In class discussions are
more beneficial for students to learn and
retain the material they are given. When
doing an online discussion a student is
behind a screen lacking face-to-face
emotion and can type something that can
be taken in the wrong way. Setting the
tone in class discussions is much easier as
students can see nonverbal
communication whereas typing online can
lead to misinterpretation. Body language
is a big thing in personal communication,
Students will not be able to read the body
language of one of their peers behind a
screen. Two researchers, Wang & Lit Woo
(2006), did a study on in class discussions
and online discussions this is what they
found. The online discussions and the
face-to-face discussions looked quite
different from the surface. The online
groups were silent. Every one sat behind a
computer and was busy with typing.
Comparatively, the face-to-face groups
were more noisy and interactive. The
face-to-face groups were seen talking,
discussing and even laughing (p. 4). In
class discussions makes the group be
engaged throughout the whole discussion
and allows for instant feedback, whereas
online a student may respond to a
question and have to wait a few minutes
for an answer. An online discussion makes
it easier for a student to read another
students work, re word it and make it their
own and post it online without even
reading or understanding the material.
How to get students to participate

Getting students to participate in class can

be challenging especially when some kids
might be shyer than others. Participation
is when a student listens to another
student about the topic, defends his or her
side and asks effective and relative
questions. In class discussions can help
students come out of their shell and take
part in classroom conversation. One way a
teacher could get a student to participate
in class discussion is if the teacher assess
the discussion. An instructor can use a
game or different incentives to try to get
the students to participate in group
conversations. A teacher could also use
games to create in depth discussions
about the material being taught.
According to Avinash V. Mainkar a
professor at James Madison University
There are two primary yardsticks for
measuring discussion participation:
quantity and quality (p. 4). A teacher can
give different bonus points for their
students depending on the types of
answers the student gives. Teachers could
have the other students grade their peers
in the group discussions because students
may feel more comfortable talking to a
small group of peers than a whole class.
When starting groups discussions for the
first time in a classroom the teacher could
have the class split off into small groups
and gradually work up to the whole class
discussing the topic. Before going right
into a big group discussion have the
students talk and run their ideas with a
couple other students in the class that
way they are starting to engage in a
discussion.
Problems with group discussions
Problems with large group discussions can
occur in any classroom. In class
discussions can be intimidating for some
students so they wont want to partake in
the conversation. Students that are shyer
can feel discouraged when the time comes
to speak their opinion. In every classroom
there are students that like to have the
attention on them and will try to answer
every question in the group discussion.
This can create a problem in grading as
well. When its only a couple of students
who are willing to participate during a full
group discussion its hard for a teacher to

grade everyone. Another thing that could

be a problem in a discussion can be that
the students may get off task easier. In
small groups when a teacher cant be
supervising everyone in the classroom
students tend to start having
conversations about anything but the
material the teacher asked them to talk
about. Group discussions can get out of
control sometimes especially when the
material the teacher is talking about is
controversial. Students may start to
become rude or get out of control if the
teacher is not there to monitor the
discussions. Some group discussions can
be longer than a discussions online, in a
group it can be hard to manage class time
if a discussion takes longer than
anticipated. Classroom discussions are
very helpful for some students, but others
may tune out and not listen when
someone is talking and miss valuable
information. According to James D
Marshall who did study about discussions
on literature. In the study he did he
observed teachers totally dominating the
discussions, after a student talked the
teacher would take the floor back. The
teachers turns to speak were much longer
than the students (p.1).
The importance of in class
Discussions
Discussions can be beneficial for a
student, but in class discussions can really
help a student with comprehension and
understanding. Interactions created by
classroom discussions can make a better
learning environment. Student interaction
and having conversations with other
students can be better for student
learning and becoming more comfortable
in a class room. The more comfortable and
active a teacher and student can be in a
classroom, can positively correlate in how
many students participate in large group
discussions. In class discussions are much
better than online because the teacher
can ask an effective question right away
and receive instant acknowledgement.
Instant feedback that is created through
large group discussions allows students to
grasp and idea much simpler. Teachers are
also there during class so that if the
discussion starts to get off topic a teacher

will be able to step in and continue the

conversation. Having an open and
comfortable learning environment where
students feel that they can share what
their opinion is and how they feel about
something can be very effective and
beneficial for the child. In class discussions
push students to think outside the box and
become more confident when speaking in
front of a class and that can translate into
public speaking as well. In class
discussions create people skills that they
will use in everyday life. Being able to say
your opinion and take in other peoples
opinions in a respectful manor can really
help students gain people skills that can
give them an edge in the work force later
on in life.
References
Applebee, A. N., Langer, J. A., Nystrand,
M., & Gamoran, A. (2003). Discussionbased approaches to developing
understanding: Classroom instruction and
student performance in middle and high
school English.American Educational
Research Journal, 40(3), 685-730.
Mainkar, A. V. (2007). A studentempowered system for measuring and
weighing participation in class

discussion. Journal of Management

Education.
Dallimore, E. J., Hertenstein, J. H., & Platt,
M. B. (2004). Classroom participation and
discussion effectiveness: Studentgenerated strategies.Communication
Education, 53(1).
Marshall, J. D. (1989). Patterns of
Discourse in Classroom Discussions of
Literature.
Wang, Q., & Woo, H. L. (2007). Comparing
asynchronous online discussions and face
toface discussions in a classroom
setting. British Journal of Educational
Technology, 38(2), 272-286.