Teaching Methods and Strategies:
Discussion Method
(वाद-f ववाद fवfध)
K.K. Chauhan
(Assistant Professor)
Department of Education,
C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur
Email: aprof.kkc@gmail.com
Self-Declaration
The material provided by me is my original work and/or obtained from online, open access
sources, and if any content is copied, appropriate acknowledgment has been made. The content is
exclusively meant for academic purposes and for enhancing teaching and learning. The
information provided in this e-content is authentic and best as per knowledge.
K.K. Chauhan
Discussion
The word ‘discuss’ has been derived from the Latin root ‘discutere’
(िड 3Ɛूटर) which means to shake or strike.
Thus ‘discussion’ refers to thoroughly shaking up the subject, that is,
examining it thoroughly to reach a conclusion.
A discussion is an activity of sitting and talking about a specific subject.
Discussion Method
A discussion method is the means by which people share experiences, ideas
and attitudes.
Discussion method enable to engage in an orderly verbal interchange and to
express thoughts on a particular subject.
Discussion involves two-way communication between participants.
In the classroom situation a teacher and students all participate in discussion.
During discussion, the teacher spends some time listening while the students
spend sometimes talking.
The discussion is, therefore, a more active learning experience for the students
than the lecture.
Discussion as a teaching method consists of open-ended,
collaborative exchange of ideas among a teacher and students
or among students and students.
Discussion method development of students thinking,
learning, problem solving, and understanding .
Participants present multiple points of view, respond to the ideas
of others, and reflect on their own ide.as
Characteristics Discussion Method
Ensure maximum participation.
Students have the opportunity to criticize and evaluate.
Logical and meaningful criticism should be accepted.
Students should anchor the discussion themselves.
Keeping teachers as guide. Teacher selects the topic only with the help of
students.
Teacher divides the class in to different groups and gives the topic of the
discussion to each group.
Every group has a leader to anchor and conduct the discussion.
Students who have leadership quality should be selected for anchoring.
Relevant topic should only be considered.
In the end, teacher draws the conclusion of the discussion with the help of
leaders.
Key Parts of Discussion Method
The five main parts of the discussion are given as follows-
(1) Leader: The leader of any debate in the class is the teacher. As a
leader, the teacher should go to the class after preparing a lot before
conducting the debate.
(2) Group: The group consists of students with different
temperaments and thoughts, who differ from each other in
intelligence, interest, temperament and ideas. It is the duty of the
teacher to encourage every student to participate in the debate.
(3) Problem: The topic of debate should be such, which the students
understand as their own. This subject should be according to their age,
intelligence and condition.
(4) Content/Material: Material means the necessary subject matter for
study. Under this, books, magazines, newspapers, pictures, maps and
other types of material must also be used.
(5) Evaluation: The main objective of debate is to bring about desirable
changes in the students.
Appropriate use of discussion method
Discussion method is used in areas in which students already have
some knowledge or experience,
Students can draw on their experience to contribute to the discussion.
All subject except mathematics, art, music, dance can be taught.
Discussion may also be used, following a lecture or demonstration, to
help trainees apply what they have learned.
Planning for discussion method
Teacher should guide the discussion to keep it on the track.
Proper objectives can be defined of discussion
It must be guided by the instructor and he/she must share his/her personal
experience and opinions
Every one in the group be given the opportunity to talk. Even those students
who are of shy nature be compelled to participate in it
Encourage the students/ Express what had been learned.
instructors responsibility to see that the objectives are met or not.
Types of discussion Method
Small group discussion technique
Socialized classroom discussion technique
………………………………………………………………
Panel discussion technique/ Panel discussion.
Formal discussion.
Informal discussion.
Parliamentary discussion.
Individual discussion
1. Panel discussion: Panel discussion is a Discussion In which a few person
carry on a conversation in front of the audience.
2. Formal discussion: In this type of discussion-
class is divided in to small groups.
A topic is given to all groups.
Each group select its leaders and divide responsibilities in all
group members.
Students participate in discussion in the form of groups.
1. Informal discussion: In this type of discussion
A topic is given by the teacher to students .
All the class participate in discussion.
Grouping is not done in the class .
Every students has a chance to speech.
2. Parliamentary discussion: In this type of discussion
The whole class is divided in to two groups .
one group is in the favor of the topic and other group is in the opposite .
Teacher guide the students whenever necessary.
Individual discussion In this type of discussion
Teacher discuss with an individual on a topic which is related to topic
Personal problem of the student also being discussed.
Advantages of Discussion Methods
Discussion method can develop following abilities among students
Thinking and communicating Made interest
powers
Generate new ideas
Leadership quality
Develop leadership quality
Expression ability
Develop Problem solving ability
Problem solving ability
Create motivation and confidence
Creativity
Motivation and confidence In short
Emphasis on learning instead of higher level cognitive and affective
teaching objectives can be realized through
Participation by every body discussion method.
Develop democratic way of
thinking
Increase knowledge
Disadvantages of Discussion Method
More time and effort
May not be end with solution
Not adaptable to all teaching-learning situations.
All topics are not able to teach through this method
Teacher may not be able to guide and provide true leadership
There is a chance that only a few students may dominate
the whole discussion.
It is possible that discussion is initiated on those aspects of
the problem with which few prominent students of the class
are concerned.
If it is not properly guided, a discussion can degenerate into a
consideration of inappropriate topics adding confusion
rather than clarification to the lesson.
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