I use discussion in my history class. I give all of the questions that we will be covering that term ahead of time in the syllabus (it helps when you teach it a few years) and I've noticed a greater degree of preparedness.
At times, I would like a more deeper thinking about the material, but I think that this is difficult for the students to do since, for many, it is their first encounter with the material and they may not know what the deeper issues are about or be able to make those connections that we find so obvious. On a side note - I modified someone's idea of objectifying class participation and I want to thank whoever that was. This year in History, all of the students received an index card that they pick up as soon as they come to class. Whenever they participate, a special pen is passed to them and they get to make a check on the card. I bought some funky colored pens and rotate the colors. The students have gotten very good at passing the pen around (I have about 25 students in this class) and they have hard evidence right in front of them of their frequency of participation. Class participation has never been so high! Thanks again. At 07:15 AM 11/9/2001 -0600, you wrote: >Hi everyone: > >Does anyone here require their students to develop and submit potential >discussion questions on the assigned readings to be used as a basis for >discussion in a given class period? I've done this occasionally in the >past on a somewhat sporadic basis that wasn't integrated very well into >the entire course, but am thinking about making this a more central part >of my course. > >My goal for doing this is to get students to read the material before >the class session, to process the information deeply enough so that they >can pose thoughtful and intelligent questions for futher discussion in >class (not just "What is psychoanalysis?" but rather "What are the >similarities and differences between psycholoanalysis and more >contemporary object-relations therapies?"), and to help create a >classroom environment that encourages greater participation and >discussion. > >For instance, if a class meets weekly on Tuesday, I would require that >each student read the material and submit two thoughtful discussion >questions by Monday afteroon. I would then review the questions and use >that as a springboard for the class session on Tuesday. This way I >wouldn't be presenting a dry lecture on material that they may or may >not have read, but I would be helping them to learn the material by >facilitating a discussion on particular questions and issues that >intrigued them. > >Some questions I have for you: > >How to I encourage students to actually read the material and develop >thoughtful question instead of just skimming through the chapter and >turning the headings into questions? > >Do I make this part of their grade? If I do, should I give more points >for questions that demonstrate a deeper processing of the material? > >Has anyone here ever done something like this on a regular basis with >your courses? How did it work out? Any pitfalls I should be aware of >or things I should do to help ensure the success of this activity? > >Thanks in advance for your help with these questions. > >Rod Hetzel > >______________________________________________ >Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D. >Department of Psychology >LeTourneau University >Post Office Box 7001 >2100 South Mobberly Avenue >Longview, Texas 75607-7001 > >Office: Heath-Hardwick Hall 115 >Phone: 903-233-3312 >Fax: 903-233-3246 >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Homepage: http://www.letu.edu/people/rodhetzel > > >--- >You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To unsubscribe send a blank email to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >--- >You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Deb Dr. Deborah S. Briihl Dept. of Psychology and Counseling Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698 (229) 333-5994 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dbriihl/ Well I know these voices must be my soul... Rhyme and Reason - DMB --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
