Survey Assignment - Table of Contents

- Pages 2 - 4 ​-- Survey

- Pages 5 - 8 ​ -- Selected Response Data
- Pages 7 - 8 ​ -- PDFs of Reflection forms for Inner and Outer Circles during
Socratic
- Pages 9 - 16 ​-- Open-Ended Response Notes
- Page 16 - 18 ​ -- Illustrative Quotes
- Page 19 - 21 ​ -- Survey Reflection
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Discussion
- Challenges in Participating
- Self-moderation
- Preparation
- Confidence in Ideas
- Shyness
- Effective Delivery
- Group Dynamic
- Conflict
- Motivation to Speak
- Peer Assistance
- Confidence in Ideas “When I know I’m right”
- Grades
- Interest in the topic
- Being challenged
- Debate
- Traits of Discussion
- Moderation/Facilitator
- Participation
- Debate
- Multiple perspectives
- Topic-focused
- Group dynamic
- Types of Discussion
- Controversial Discussion
- On topic
- Hostile/Aggressive Group

Open-Ended Response Questions

Question - Name three of the most difficult challenges while participating in discussion
1. Talking, Answering questions, and participating. ​Challenges in Participating
2. Not dominating the conversation, not getting too hated, not spoiling things
Challenges in Participating
3. getting a response, speaking up, getting started ​Challenges in Participating
4. staying in topic, everyone talking and communicating your topic good.
Challenges in Participating ​Types of Discussion​Traits of Discussion
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5. Think of questions, answering questions, and not talking over people ​Challenges
in Participating
6. People interupting and not letting people speak.​Challenges in Participating​Types
of Discussion
7. articulating your ideas, thoughts, and opinions.​Challenges in Participating
8. Being the first to begin. Keeping the conversation going. Creating new ideas to
keep the conversation alive. ​Challenges in Participating
9. speaking opinions, judgement, conflict.​Challenges in Participating
10. Talking, preparing, ​Challenges in Participating ​Traits of Discussion
11. getting your point across, not getting mad, trying to stay on topic​Challenges in
Participating ​Types of Discussion
12. sharing ideas with others, speaking up, and talking​Challenges in Participating
13. everyone talking at once ​Challenges in Participating ​Types of Discussion
14. expressing ones thought, listening and understanding ​Challenges in Participating
15. Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say ​Challenges in Participating ​Types of Discussion
16. Staying on topic​Challenges in Participating ​Types of Discussion
17. Thinking of what to say, how to ask questions, and talking in front of people.
to comfortable communicating ​Challenges in Participating ​Traits of Discussion
18. Talking to other people, having a discussion, not as comfortable in a
group​Challenges in Participating
19. speaking up, disagreeing with someone, getting my opinions in the
discussion.​Challenges in Participating ​Traits of Discussion
20. speaking up , relating to and catching up​Challenges in Participating
21. Responding quick enough, thinking of a good response in general and sharing an
opinion or response that seems incomparable to others​Challenges in
Participating ​Traits of Discussion

Question - What makes a great class discussion?

1. Everyone participating and having disagreements and agreements​Traits of
Discussion​Types of Discussion
2. everybody participating​Traits of Discussion
3. Lots of creative answers​Traits of Discussion
4. all people participating​Types of Discussion
5. Everyone sharing their ideas.​Traits of Discussion
6. Everyone is involved ​Traits of Discussion
7. A contraversial topic and have two sides argue with each other with facts​Traits of
Discussion​Types of Discussion
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8. i think varying opinions help contribute to a good discussion​Traits of Discussion

9. when the whole class is talking​Traits of Discussion
10. When everyone gets a chance to talk. ​Traits of Discussion
11. Everybody being comfortable to give out their opinions ​Challenges in
Participating ​Traits of Discussion
12. When there is someone who can help lead and give direction to the
conversation. ​Traits of Discussion
13. When everyone participates, but I know not everyone will because I won't.​Traits
of Discussion​Challenges in Participating
14. when everybody has something valuable to add​Traits of Discussion
15. When everyone has different ideas that are on topic​Traits of Discussion​Types of
Discussion
16. everyone participating and different opinions ​Traits of Discussion
17. a controversal opionated conversation​Traits of Discussion​Types of Discussion
18. Asking questions and letting everyone talk ​Traits of Discussion
19. When everybody participates, and knows what there talking about.​Traits of
Discussion
20. When everybody participates.​Traits of Discussion
21. alot of communicating , and debating ​Traits of Discussion​Types of Discussion
22. Everyone speaks, everyone stays on topic.​Traits of Discussion​Types of
Discussion
23. when everyone is able to speak their minds.​Traits of Discussion
24. everyone participating ​Traits of Discussion
25. When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.​Traits of Discussion​Types of Discussion

Question - What makes you want to speak in a discussion?

1. when someone puts me on the spot. ​Challenges in Participating ​Motivation to
Speak
2. Having a good answer ​Motivation to Speak
3. helping with opinions​Motivation to Speak
4. Interesting topics.​Motivation to Speak​Traits of Discussion
5. if the thing we are talking about is interesting ​Motivation to Speak
6. Things I disagree with ​Motivation to Speak​Types of Discussion
7. usually depends on the subject and if i have a strong opinion​Challenges in
Participating ​Motivation to Speak​Traits of Discussion
8. if everyone is invovled​Motivation to Speak
9. Getting my point out​Motivation to Speak
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10. Wanting to be able to express your feelings or opinion ​Motivation to Speak

11. When I can express my opinions about things. ​Motivation to Speak
12. Nothing ​Challenges in Participating ​Motivation to Speak
13. not a lot ​Challenges in Participating ​Motivation to Speak
14. sharing a total different opinion on the topic​Motivation to Speak​Types of
Discussion
15. good topics ​Motivation to Speak​Traits of Discussion
16. when its interesting ​Motivation to Speak
17. If the convo gets heated then I will join in ​Motivation to Speak​Types of
Discussion
18. Peoples rebuttal to my answer​Motivation to Speak​Traits of Discussion
19. The way everybody in the group talks​Motivation to Speak​Traits of Discussion
20. the topic ​Motivation to Speak
21. To get a good grade​Motivation to Speak
22. When I am able to speak on a topic I like/very passionate about.​Motivation to
Speak​Types of Discussion
23. being tempted to share my opinion​Motivation to Speak
24. I guess just getting grade​Motivation to Speak

Challenges in Participating
Self-moderation
1. Not dominating the conversation, not getting too hated, not spoiling things
2. Being the first to begin. Keeping the conversation going. Creating new ideas to
keep the conversation alive
Preparation
1. Think of questions, answering questions, and not talking over people
2. Talking, preparing
3. Thinking of what to say, how to ask questions, and talking in front of people.
to comfortable communicating
4. usually depends on the subject and if i have a strong opinion
Confidence in Ideas
1. Talking, Answering questions, and participating
2. sharing ideas with others, speaking up, and talking
3. Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say
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4. Responding quick enough, thinking of a good response in general and sharing an

opinion or response that seems incomparable to others
Shyness
1. getting a response, speaking up, getting started
2. Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say
3. Thinking of what to say, how to ask questions, and talking in front of people.
to comfortable communicating
4. Talking to other people, having a discussion, not as comfortable in a group
5. speaking up, disagreeing with someone, getting my opinions in the discussion.
6. speaking up , relating to and catching up
7. When everyone participates, but I know not everyone will because I won't
8. (What makes you want to participate in discussion?) Nothing
9. (What makes you want to participate in discussion?) Not a lot
Effective Delivery
1. Staying in topic, everyone talking and communicating your topic good.
2. articulating your ideas, thoughts, and opinions
3. getting your point across, not getting mad, trying to stay on topic
4. expressing ones thought, listening and understanding
5. Responding quick enough, thinking of a good response in general and sharing an
opinion or response that seems incomparable to others
Group Dynamic
1. People interupting and not letting people speak
2. Being the first to begin. Keeping the conversation going. Creating new ideas to
keep the conversation alive
3. speaking opinions, judgement, conflict.
4. everyone talking at once
5. Staying on topic
6. when someone puts me on the spot.
7. Everybody being comfortable to give out their opinions
Conflict
1. speaking opinions, judgement, conflict
2. Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say
3. speaking up, disagreeing with someone, getting my opinions in the discussion.

Motivation to Speak
Peer Assistance
1. when someone puts me on the spot.
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2. The way everybody in the group talks

Confidence in Ideas “When I know I’m right”
1. Having a good answer
2. helping with opinions
3. Getting my point out
4. Wanting to be able to express your feelings or opinion
5. When I can express my opinions about things.
Grades
1. To get a good grade
2. I guess just getting grade
Interest in the topic
1. Interesting topics
2. if the thing we are talking about is interesting
3. usually depends on the subject and if i have a strong opinion
4. good topics
5. when its interesting
6. the topic
7. When I am able to speak on a topic I like/very passionate about
8. being tempted to share my opinion
Being challenged
1. when someone puts me on the spot.
2. Peoples rebuttal to my answer
Debate
1. Things I disagree with
2. sharing a total different opinion on the topic
3. If the convo gets heated then I will join in
4. Peoples rebuttal to my answer

Traits of Discussion
Moderation/Facilitator
1. When there is someone who can help lead and give direction to the conversation
2. Asking questions and letting everyone talk
3. When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.
Participation
1. Everyone participating and having disagreements and agreements
2. when the whole class is talking
3. When everyone gets a chance to talk
4. Everybody being comfortable to give out their opinions
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5. When everyone participates, but I know not everyone will because I won't
6. when everybody has something valuable to add
7. everyone participating and different opinions
8. Asking questions and letting everyone talk
9. When everybody participates, and knows what there talking about
10. When everybody participates
11. Everyone speaks, everyone stays on topic
12. when everyone is able to speak their minds.
13. everyone participating
14. When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.
Debate
1. Everyone participating and having disagreements and agreements
2. A contraversial topic and have two sides argue with each other with facts
3. a controversal opionated conversation
4. alot of communicating , and debating
5. Peoples rebuttal to my answer
Multiple perspectives
1. staying in topic, everyone talking and communicating your topic good
2. i think varying opinions help contribute to a good discussion
3. when the whole class is talking
4. When everyone gets a chance to talk
5. everyone participating and different opinions
6. Peoples rebuttal to my answer
7. Lots of creative answers
Topic-focused
1. When everyone has different ideas that are on topic
2. When everybody participates, and knows what there talking about
3. Everyone speaks, everyone stays on topic
4. Interesting topics
5. usually depends on the subject and if i have a strong opinion
6. good topics
Group dynamic
1. staying in topic, everyone talking and communicating your topic good
2. Talking, preparing,
3. Asking questions and letting everyone talk
4. alot of communicating , and debating
5. When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.
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6. The way everybody in the group talks

Types of Discussion
Controversial Discussion
1. Everyone participating and having disagreements and agreements
2. sharing a total different opinion on the topic
3. A contraversial topic and have two sides argue with each other with facts
4. When everyone has different ideas that are on topic
5. a controversal opionated conversation
6. alot of communicating , and debating
7. Things I disagree with
8. If the convo gets heated then I will join in
On topic
1. staying in topic, everyone talking and communicating your topic good.
2. Staying on topic
3. When I am able to speak on a topic I like/very passionate about.
4. getting your point across, not getting mad, trying to stay on topic
5. Everyone speaks, everyone stays on topic.
Hostile/Aggressive Group
1. People interupting and not letting people speak
2. everyone talking at once
3. Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say
4. When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.

Illustrative quotes

Challenges in Participating
Shyness
“​When everyone participates, but I know not everyone will because I won't.”

Group Dynamic
“speaking opinions, judgement, conflict.”
Effective Delivery
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“Responding quick enough, thinking of a good response in general and sharing

an opinion or response that seems incomparable to others”

Preparation
“Thinking of what to say, how to ask questions, and talking in front of people.
to comfortable communicating”

Confidence in Ideas
“​Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say”

Conflict
“​Being to quiet, no one agrees with you , and no one cares of what you have to
say”

Self Moderation
“​Not dominating the conversation, not getting too hated, not spoiling things”

Motivation to Speak
Interest in the Topic
“​When I am able to speak on a topic I like/very passionate about”

Confidence in Ideas
“​Getting my point out”

Debate
“​If the convo gets heated then I will join in”

Peer Assistance
“​when someone puts me on the spot.”

Grade
“I guess just getting grade”

Being Challenged
“Peoples rebuttal to my answer”
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Traits of Discussion
Participation
“When everyone is able to share and no one is being dominant/judgmental in the
discussion.”

Group Dynamic
“​alot of communicating , and debating”

Debate
“Everyone participating and having disagreements and agreements”

Multiple Perspectives
“​i think varying opinions help contribute to a good discussion”

Topic-focused
“​When everyone has different ideas that are on topic”

Moderation/Facilitator
“​When there is someone who can help lead and give direction to the
Conversation”

Types of Discussion
Controversial Discussion
“​A contraversial topic and have two sides argue with each other with facts”

On topic
“​getting your point across, not getting mad, trying to stay on topic”

Hostile/Aggressive Group
“​People interupting and not letting people speak”
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Rob Stoces

Professor Athanases

EDU 206A

03/17/18

Assignment 3 - Survey Reflection

The purpose of this survey was to assess my senior class’ feelings, ideas, and insights

into discussion as a tool in the classroom. This class is filled with students who are very close to

the ened of their high school career and have all but officially “checked out” of their schooling

efforts. This is to lead into an insight into the very short, surface level writing many of them left

in the survey. The students were prompted to give thought and detail to their answers, but chose

to be very short in their responses despite the prompt. Along with this, some students simply

answered the questions they wanted to, or submitted blank entries into the writing space. Out of

the 30 students who took the survey, the highest response rate for the open-ended questions was

25 student responses for “What makes a great class discussion?”

In looking at the data collected, the first pattern noticed was the short responses written

by students. Along with this, the next pattern I noticed was the extremely similar response

written all across the “What makes a great class discussion?” response. Almost every single

students decided to write that, what makes a great discussion is the full participation of the class.

Out of the 25 responses to that question, only 4 responses did not explicitly state nor allude to

this idea. This is intriguing to note, as a few weeks ago this class conducted two days of a

Socratic Seminar, with two discussions occurring at the same time for each day. The inner circle

was conducted normally, while the outer circle was provided a link to the website
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todaysmeet.com in order to have an online discussion in connection with, or completely separate

from, the inner circle discussion. In both the circles, and on both days, there were a handful of

students who did not participate. The only requirements for the outer circle discussion was that

the students speak respectfully to one another, that they respond or question at least three times,

and that they use their own names on the website so that grading could be performed smoothly.

Also, the students were introduced to the website and its functions fairly early on, along with

being provided sentence frames and being allowed to use questions that had been teacher

generated weeks before. Despite this, and despite the number of people that chose not to

participate in the discussion, almost every student said that the key to a great discussion was

whole class participation.

Another thing to note was the nearly 30% trend of students speaking of or alluding to a

certain shyness/lack of confidence in their abilities during discussion. This connects to the

students who did not participate in the discussions we had through the Socratic Seminars and

smaller discussions throughout the year. On the opposite end, only 2 people spoke of or alluded

to having to self moderate in order not to dominate the conversation. In this class, there seems to

be a sizable group of students who are fearful of expressing themselves in a social setting, and a

pair who might be considered too comfortable sharing their thoughts. Some of the students

expressed their appreciation for debate styled discussions that pit opposing ideas head-to-head,

thus drawing in engagement and making the interactions between students fill with more tension.

This being the case, it might seem wise to look into seeing whether students who want more

debate in the discussions are also the ones who would like to participate in the debate, or simply

observe it happen.
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A trend of students expressing doubt in their ideas, and only wishing/wanting to speak up

if they are confident in their ideas does beg the question of whether this can be addressed in

building up to discussion through the scaffolding of the ideas they choose to express. Along with

this, looking at the sizable amount of students who might be overwhelmingly shy, I question if

this group might necessitate the use of multiple facilitators in order to drive discussion. A survey

like this, with more focused questions and given at the beginning of the year, might help a

teacher gain insight into a group’s discussion abilities and needs in order to better craft

instruction for the process. This biggest tension I find is students knowing/wanting full

participation in discussion, while also still not participating themselves. It seems that this group

might be wanting a more structured process for discussion that takes away the autonomy and

independence that whole class discussion can offer. Students also seem to fear having their ideas

challenged or that the dynamic might be hostile in response to their input during discussion,

which seems surprising considering how social the students are with one another during the class

period.

Going forward, I want to further develop this survey in order to be given to any of my

future classes so that I can develop a knowledge of their abilities and needs. In the immediate

future, I need to make every question a required one for this group of students, and to also focus

the questions more. Along with focusing the questions, I want to complexify the questions I am

asking so that more than a sentence or two is required to fully answer. Making this survey graded

might help this process, but I do believe that any future version of this survey will require

refining the questions so that students engage more with their own reflections into their

discussion process.