November 04th, 2020

By Heather Waldron, STEM Pathway Designer

​Module 7 of the Distance Learning Playbook focuses on designing learning opportunities that are engaging for students and employ what we know to be effective instructional strategies.  One area of focus is the use of classroom discussions. 

Hattie has found that classroom discussion has a .82 effect size, making it a highly effective teaching strategy.  Regardless of setting, effective classroom discussions should be introduced with a focus question that prompts critical thinking, supported with a collaborative structure, and resulting in a student product that makes thinking visible.  The structures that support effective classroom discussion are not new for many teachers, however they may need slight modifications for use in today’s learning environments. 

Recently, as part of the Distance Learning Playbook Virtual Institute, Doug Fischer shared a number of examples of effective structures to support classroom discussions.  Two of these structures are highlighted here with remote modifications noted in red.   

A few key takeaways when implementing classroom discussions in any setting:

• Utilize small groups (or breakout rooms) and collaborative structures to support student discourse.
• Provide a clear focus question and task, clarity is key!
• Limit classroom discussion to approximately 10 minutes at a time in order to maintain engagement.  Students may then move into independent summaries or applications of the content discussed.
• Students must have a product connected to their discussion.

See this article from ASCD express for more ideas on supporting online group discussions. For additional classroom discussion strategies check out this post on Cult of Pedagogy. 

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