Kahn, E. (Mar 2007). Building fires: raising achievement through class discussion. English Journal, 96, 16-19. Retrieved March 7, 2008 from ProQuest database.
An Annotation by Laurie Walsh
The author, a high school English teacher, cites several researchers to prove that discussion enhances student achievement in reading. She differentiates between discussion and extended recitation. Discussion must involve an “open, dialogic exchange of ideas among students and authentic questions – open-ended rather than known-answer testlike questions” (1).
One method to engage students is to introduce a conflict or controversy. These can be teacher created or stem from conflicting literary interpretations. This teacher uses blogs for some discussions. She does have ground rules, and she initially has to model how to directly address others’ comments on the blog.
Related posts:
- Strategies for initiating authentic discussion. Johannessen, L.
- Getting the discussion started.
- The dreaded discussion: ten ways to start. Frederick, P.
- Motivation and learning: practical teaching tips for block schedules, brain-based learning, multiple intelligences, improved student motivation, increased achievement.
- Cooperative learning: building a democratic community
Twitter
Facebook
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.