Leading Group Discussions

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Leading Group Discussions

• David M. Irby, PhD
• University of California
• San Francisco

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Preview

• Total Group Discussion (30 min)
• Introduction
• PICS Model
• Preview, Involvement of all, Content covered,
  and Summary
• Small Group Jigsaw (90 min)
• Lesson planning in chapter groups (30 min)
• Discussion of each chapter in small groups (60
  min)
• Total group discussion (30 min)

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Most Common Pitfalls

• Leader talks too much
• Fails to involve everyone
• Fails to introduce self or preview session
• Doesnt make progress through content
• No summary or conclusion
• Doesnt share self and think aloud

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Why use Discussion?

• Increases motivation and persistence in learning
• Improves learning outcomes because learners must
• Articulate what they know and dont know
• Challenge their own assumptions
• Connect and consolidate ideas
• Increases communication skills
• More likely to change values

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PICS Model
Content
Involvement
Preview
Summary
Teacher enthusiasm, support and challenge
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Preview

• Introduce self and topic
• Provide rationale and capture attention
• Preview session, state objectives and set
  expectations for participation
• Establish positive learning climate

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Involvement

• Promote active participation and stimulate
  thinking
• Ask questions, pose problems, ask for questions
• Give in-class assignments, questionnaires, tasks,
  problems to solve
• Divide students into groups to do assignments
• Exhibit enthusiasm

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Content

• Focus and progress through main ideas
• Direct and pace discussion
• Plan each each section of the discussion and
  estimate time
• Put each section and timeframe on board
• Use visuals to capture ideas (scribe)
• Summarize periodically

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Summary

• Summarize key points and provide closure
• Bridge to larger course and/or next session
• Review learning issues and make assignments
• Share feedback on session

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Review of PICS Model

• Preview Introduce self and preview session
• Involvement Actively involve all learners
• Content Ensure timely progress through content
• Summary Summarize key ideas

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Jigsaw Process

• Advanced preparation - divided individual
  responsibility
• Three-part classroom process
• Chapter specific small group discussion (share
  and revise lesson plans)
• Cross chapter small group discussion (teach
  your chapter to others and get feedback)
• Total group discussion (what did we learn?)

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Part I (chapter groups)

• Share lesson plans and ensure that you follow the
  PICS format (no lecturing)
• Preview and set expectations
• Involve everyone
• Cover content and manage time
• Summarize key points
• Revise your lesson plan

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Part II (cross-chapter groups)

• Lead a discussion on each chapter for 12 minutes
  each
• Give feedback on experience (specific strengths
  and recommendations) for 3 minutes
• Preview?
• Involvement of all?
• Content covered?
• Summary?

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Part III (total group discussion)

• What did you learn from this experience?
• What surprised you?
• What questions do you have?
• What specific techniques will you use in your
  teaching?

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Conclusion

• Careful organization (preview, organized content,
  summary) and active involvement enhances learning
• Your enthusiasm will inspire learning and
  increase persistence in learning
• Have fun.

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PICS Discussion Model

• Preview
• Involvement of all
• Content covered
• Summary
• Facilitator enthusiastic, supportive and
  challenging?