Discussion groups

Discussion groups are harder to control in a large class. Invest the effort in setting them up well. A teacher may have a discussion with the students, perhaps using PowerPoint slide with some leading questions for them to consider. Then have the students discuss this with their neighbour. After a few minutes, the lecturer can discuss the answers with them.

Consider grouping your students in no more than four per group and limit the discussions to two sessions per lecture.

Rein in your students at the end of the discussion by using the visual cues you can develop, eg, standing at the front of the room with your palm straight up, facing the audience.

Running a discussion group on an LMS (Canvas, Piazza etc.) may require posing a question and letting the students participate among themselves. With extremely large classes it is very difficult for a lecturer to be constantly involved but the lecturer should make the students aware that they will be moderating the discussion as required.

During a lecture using PowerPoint:

• Explain the concept.

• Show a dialog with four options to choose from.

• Give the students one minute to discuss the options among themselves.

• Have the students vote on the correct answer.

• Give them the answers, explaining first which is the correct one and refer to their notes. Then discuss why the other answers may or may not also be partly correct.