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I have always found student led discussions to be a force multiplier with MCJROTC. Doing this makes sure every student participates and builds up their courage to speak in front of other cadets.

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I have always found student led discussions to be a force multiplier with MCJROTC. Doing this makes sure every student participates and builds up their courage to speak in front of other cadets.

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"Forget the Leading Role" - article on student led discussions

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"Forget the Leading Role" - article on student led discussions

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Hollywood loves the teacher-as-savior trope-with those break-the-mold educators who stand and deliver in the classroom, winning the hearts and minds of stereotypically reluctant students with dynamic repartee that inspires them to believe in themselves, unleash their hidden talents, and, of course, carpe diem. As former teachers, we, too, once fancied we might engage our students in such deep discussions that we'd leave them calling "O Captain! my Captain!" (à la Dead Poets Society) as we left the room.

Yet as compelling as this teacher-as-savior narrative may be, research on classroom discussions suggests it's not just unrealistic, but also problematic. Beyond its troubling "white-savior" implications, it may also perpetuate some unhelpful myths about how-and among whom-deeper conversations should unfold in real-life classrooms.

The Power-and Limits-of Classroom Discussions

Here is what we know from research about what actual classroom conversations do for students.

Takeaways for Teachers

So, what does all of this mean for classroom teachers? Here are some key takeaways:

Invite students to ponder and respond to authentic questions. Case studies show that all too often teachers' questions during classroom discussions are "test" questions-queries designed to elicit "right" answers of basic knowledge (such as names of characters, plot elements, or settings) instead of authentic questions -open-ended prompts that invite students to think deeply and critically about their learning (Applebee, et al., 2003). Yes, it's good to check students' understanding of their learning. But the real power of classroom discourse comes from asking students questions that move beyond what they know to what they believe, doubt, or discount (Murphy et al., 2018).

When it comes to classroom conversations, Hollywood tends to make teachers the stars of the show, motivational speakers whose pithy observations transform students' lives. As it turns out, though, the real stars of the discussion are students themselves, with true transformation occurring within, and emerging from, the ideas they share.

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Research Matters / Forget the Leading Role - ASCD

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Hollywood loves the teacher-as-savior trope-with those break-the-mold educators who stand and deliver in the classroom, winning the hearts and minds of stereotypically reluctant students with dynamic repartee that inspires them to believe in themselves, unleash their hidden talents, and, of course,

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Concept sounds good, seems like it would be easier to meet with success at the high school level.

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Having this Padlet with it all right here...brilliant and helpful to us.  Thanks, Jennifer!!

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This has been great and definitely promotes students' active engagement and promotes leadership skills.

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This has been great and definitely promotes students' active engagement and promotes leadership skills.

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I love this activity and will definitely be using this with my classes!

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I love this activity and will definitely be using this with my classes!

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At Dahlgren, we have been deconstructing the Socratic Seminar process and noting where students need to improve. One area of weakness we've identified has to do with how students respond to each other. "Save the Last Word for Me" is a valuable strategy for helping students respond to one another.

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Student Led Discussions are fantastic! They really promote student leadership, student mentoring and they ignite the multiple intelligences! Thank for doing this Mrs. Woollven! 

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Student Led Discussions are fantastic! They really promote student leadership, student mentoring and they ignite the multiple intelligences! Thank for doing this Mrs. Woollven! 

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I love the "tag you're it" feature. It's just like playing the game tag.  ~ Coles

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Group A - The Power—and Limits—of Classroom Discussions

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Save the Last Word participant instructions

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Save the Last Word participant instructions

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Socratic Seminar (with stem handout link)

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Socratic Seminar (with stem handout link)

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Have students facilitate a discussion in order to work together toward a shared understanding of a text.

Advisory

Civics & Citizenship

English & Language Arts

History

Social Studies

The resources I'm getting from my colleagues through Facing History have been just invaluable.

- Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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Have students facilitate a discussion in order to work together toward a shared understanding of a text. Advisory Civics & Citizenship English & Language Arts History Social Studies The resources I'm getting from my colleagues through Facing History have been just invaluable. - Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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School Reform Initiative - A Community of Learners

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