Discussions and Presentations
The Importance of Class Discussions
Class discussions offer students opportunities to test their ideas and opinions against the ideas and opinions of their peers. It is important to set the right tone for discussion in the classroom early on in the semester, and to establish a rapport with your students.
Studies have shown that students who contribute to class conversations early on in the semester are much more likely to continue contributing to class discussions throughout the semester than those students who remain quiet during the initial few weeks of the term. Therefore, it is imperative to find ways to involve all students in the formative discussions of the course.
What Makes for a Good Discussion?
Good discussion is like art. It may be hard to define it, but you know it when you see it. Think back to a good discussion you once had, either as a student or an instructor. What made is enjoyable? What made it educational? What made it lively?
Often cited characteristics of a good discussion:
Class discussions offer students opportunities to test their ideas and opinions against the ideas and opinions of their peers. It is important to set the right tone for discussion in the classroom early on in the semester, and to establish a rapport with your students.
Studies have shown that students who contribute to class conversations early on in the semester are much more likely to continue contributing to class discussions throughout the semester than those students who remain quiet during the initial few weeks of the term. Therefore, it is imperative to find ways to involve all students in the formative discussions of the course.
Good discussion is like art. It may be hard to define it, but you know it when you see it. Think back to a good discussion you once had, either as a student or an instructor. What made is enjoyable? What made it educational? What made it lively?
Often cited characteristics of a good discussion:
- Accessibility: Students feel comfortable engaging in the discussion.
- Non-combative: There is a cordial and pleasant tone to the conversation and no hostility.
- Diversity: A variety of opinions and points of view get articulated.
- Cohesion and focus: Discussions should be about "something," with a pedagogical goal.
- Trust: Environment should allow students to take intellectual risks.
Types of Discussion
Mainly there are two types of discussion:- Spontaneous discussion
- Planned discussion
Planned Discussion:
Such discussion may be initiated by the teacher by asking one student to present reports and others to discuss them in detail. This technique needs a careful planning by the teacher by including pertinent facts to the class and uniting them in the form of conclusions. An extensive list of questions is made by the teacher and these should be injected into the discussion at appropriate time. The teacher should at times emphasize a point and should see that all relevant points are covered during discussion.
Spontaneous Discussion:
It generally starts from students question about some current event that may be related to the topic under study. Such a discussion is quite helpful to students as it helps them to understand current events to analyze and relate facts to real life situations In such a discussion the knowledge of facts is reviewed and an understanding is developed.A Presentation Is...
A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.
A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video conference.
To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the information should be carefully considered.
A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain a 'persuasive' element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a project.
Consider the following key components of a presentation:
Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the presentation.
- When and where will you deliver your presentation?There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different presentations, and different techniques.
- Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early, to familiarize yourself with the room.
- Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various degrees of formality within that.
- Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?
- Are you already familiar with the audience?With a new audience, you will have to build rapport quickly and effectively, to get them on your side.
- What equipment and technology will be available to you, and what will you be expected to use?In particular, you will need to ask about microphones and whether you will be expected to stand in one place, or move around.
- What is the audience expecting to learn from you and your presentation?Check how you will be ‘billed’ to give you clues as to what information needs to be included in your presentation.
