Communication

How to Effectively Engage Students in Any Environment

Janis Gallagher & Aimee Byk

Ivy Tech - Lawrenceburg

Objectives

• Explain the value of discussion

• How to foster discussion from Day One

• How to ask the right questions

• How to troubleshoot

Four Kinds of Learning

• Students learn “information” or “facts”.

• Student learn what other scholars think about those facts.

• Students learn how to take in, process and use all that information and create new knowledge.

• Students learn how they can relate to and feel about all disciplines.

The Value of Discussion

• True learning is best achieved through dialogue.• “Talking it out” helps create new knowledge• Builds a “community of learners”• Practice “thinking” about subject matter• Thinking is active, listening to lectures is passive

(low TTT: teacher talk time)• More likely to remember info they have

discussed

Why Discussion Works

• It demands students’ attention.• “Next class, prepare to talk about…”• Students receive immediate feedback.• Accommodates collaborative learning

styles• Models work environments

• Explain all this to your students!

May I Have Your Attention, Please?: Arousal Theory

• When arousal is too low, we get bored• Discussion provides stimulation• Arousal level varies from person to person,

and from one situation to another• Student interest peaks in the first ten minutes

of class time, and then steadily decreases.• Individual attention span is limited to 45-50

minute intervals.

The First Day: Face-to-Face

• Say hello!• “M&M’s work”• Learn their names.• Collect information about

each student.• Have them get to know

each other.• Reveal information about

yourself.• Invite questions• Do all this before the

syllabus!

The First Day: Face to Face

• Define your expectations for discussion.

• “Come to class ready to discuss!”

• “This is your class, not mine.”

• Ask general, open-ended questions

• “What have you heard about psychology?”

The First Day: Online

• “Welcome” email/announcement• “Small talk” in the Coffee House forum• Collect information about each student.• Have them get to know each other (post

introduction/reply).• Reveal information about yourself.• Model discussion: Invite questions, show

enthusiasm• Define expectations in syllabus

Ask the Right Questions: Face-to-Face

• Begin with common experiences• Introduce surprising/controversial topics• Ask open-ended questions• Build on their previous knowledge and interests• Give a problem that they need to solve.

Teacher’s Role in Discussion

• Wait it out!

• “Write your answer.”

• Guide the discussion, do not determine it.

• Leave personal bias out of it.

• Restate, summarize, ask questions.

• Model discussion; show enthusiasm, acknowledge different sides and admit you don’t hold the ultimate answer!

Ask the Right Questions: Online

• More time to formulate answer• Writing helps clarify views, time to edit• Easier to wait it out• Give several discussion options• Join in!: Ask questions, summarize progress at end• Provide stellar examples• Require replies• Hold a real-time chat session

Troubleshooting

#1. No One’s Talking!• Determine why they aren’t talking.• Get them more acquainted.• Break in smaller groups.• Ask them to write down the answer and then call

by name.• Encourage them with smiles, name, points.• Use the “good” students to get others involved.• Ask questions that require personal knowledge.• Make it count in their grade!

Troubleshooting

#2. Discussions Getting Heated• Define expectations early (“listen with respect”, “do not

attack other students”)• Agreements are not always ideal.• Address the argument immediately.• Create an assignment from it.• Refer to book, other research.• Be well-prepared for this situation. • Online: Privately e-mail student, ask to modify post if

necessary, post on board

Troubleshooting

#3. Discussions are Getting Off Track/Ineffective

• Discussions require some structure• Give them a clear goal• Move students around and move yourself• Call on everyone during a two-week

period• Assign a student leader• Acknowledge the problem#4. Boundary Issues• Many students might not used to an active

classroom setting.• “Friendly” versus “Friends”

Troubleshooting

#5. Group Project Woes• Explain its’ value.• Define expectations

early.• Give examples.• Designate a leader.• Assign individual

grades.

Conclusion

• Discussions are vital to learning.

• Personalize your course.• Ask the right questions.• Guide the discussion,

don’t determine it.• Address issues

immediately, and explain the value of disagreements.

Conclusion

• Create a warm, safe atmosphere for students, but don’t be their buddy!

• Note what worked and what didn’t work (and ask your students).

• Share your experiences with other teachers.