This document discusses the benefits of in-class discussions compared to online discussions. It argues that in-class discussions help students learn how to communicate effectively, develop critical thinking skills, and feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Research studies cited found that in-class discussions positively correlated with learning and literacy development. Some challenges of in-class discussions are shy students not participating and discussions going off-topic without teacher monitoring. Overall, the document emphasizes that in-class discussions create a better learning environment than online discussions.
This document discusses the benefits of in-class discussions compared to online discussions. It argues that in-class discussions help students learn how to communicate effectively, develop critical thinking skills, and feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Research studies cited found that in-class discussions positively correlated with learning and literacy development. Some challenges of in-class discussions are shy students not participating and discussions going off-topic without teacher monitoring. Overall, the document emphasizes that in-class discussions create a better learning environment than online discussions.
This document discusses the benefits of in-class discussions compared to online discussions. It argues that in-class discussions help students learn how to communicate effectively, develop critical thinking skills, and feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Research studies cited found that in-class discussions positively correlated with learning and literacy development. Some challenges of in-class discussions are shy students not participating and discussions going off-topic without teacher monitoring. Overall, the document emphasizes that in-class discussions create a better learning environment than online discussions.
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.