Discussion. Indiana University - Teaching Handbook. An excellent brief overview of the key aspects of successful discussion. Includes useful tips on preparing for discussions, facilitating discussions and solving common problems that can occur with discussions. From the Indiana University Teaching Resources Center's Teaching Handbook.

Discussion Leader Guide. National Health Service Corps. This guide provides specific recommendations for leading group discussions, including: (1) Techniques for leading a task-oriented group in the teacher serves as facilitator; (2) Skills needed to organize the seminar setting, establish group rapport, and guide the discussion; and (3) Ideas for focusing the discussion and summarizing the work of the group. Strategies for effective discussions with people from different disciplines with various levels of experience are included.

Effective Classroom Questioning. University of Illinois Division of Instructional Development. Covers levels and types of questions; planning questions; interaction skills (e.g., instructor attitude, calling on students; wait time and responding); and various methods for assessing one's questioning skills.

Frequently Asked Questions about Discussion. National Teaching & Learning Forum. Provides answers to several common questions about the discussion method: How can I get a discussion going and keep it going without lapsing into long silences or a lecture? How can I promote discussion in a large class? How do you get everyone participating? How do you handle 'discussion monopolizers'? How can I evaluate discussions?

Frequently Asked Questions about Discussion. Middendorf, J & Kalish, A. Answers several practical asked questions about discussion, including: How can I get a discussion going (and keep it going)? What can I do if a discussion falls apart? How can I best keep conversation flowing without lapsing into long silences or a lecture? How can I promote discussion in a large class so that more than just the vocal few are involved? How do you handle 'discussion monopolizers'? and How can I evaluate discussions?

IDEA Papers - Answering and Asking Questions (No. 31). Kansas State University. Suggests 18 different questioning techniques useful in both lecture and discussion-based classes. Categories include responding to and answering students questions, asking students questions, using pause and silence, and creating an accepting atmosphere. Includes references and further readings.

IDEA Papers - Improving Discussions (No. 15). Kansas State University. Reviews strengths and weaknesses of the discussion method and recommends how to use discussion to (a) improve cognitive or intellectual learning, (b) improve the affective or interest/value aspects of learning, and (c) increase participation. Includes references and further readings.

Ideas for Generating Discussions on Readings or Other Class Material. McKinney, K. A brief outline of 7 strategies for encouraging students to be prepared (have read material) and 9 strategies for promoting discussion in class.

Leading Class Discussions. Colorado State University - Writing Center. Designed to help faculty develop strategies for running successful class discussions. Topics include: Teacher's Role as Facilitator, Focusing Discussions, Thinking on the Spot, and Checking for Understanding. Provides a sample discussion plan. Some emphasis on discussion as related to reading or writing assignment, but a good source nonetheless.

Selected References on Leading Discussions. Illinois State University - Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. Provides a list of selected references (primarily books) that provide guidance on leading discussions.

Suggestions for Classroom Discussion. Illinois State University - Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. Outlines how to prepare for classroom discussion and provides a number of good suggestions to help instructors facilitate discussion sessions. Includes a description of how five common types of classroom questions can impede good discussion.

Teaching Contexts. Florida State University. Chapter 11 in Instruction at FSU: A Guide to Teaching & Learning Practices. Covers unique elements in the planning and delivery of effective discussion classes, laboratory sessions and large classes.

Teaching through Discussion. University of Washington - Center for Instructional Development and Research. Describes the characteristics of good discussion, methods to keep discussion moving and how best to determine what students learned from the discussion. CIDR Teaching and Learning Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 3 1999.

The Skill of Questioning. University of Melbourne - Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Acquiring skills in questioning students is an important step towards becoming an effective teacher. Covers the importance of a well-developed questioning technique and provides guidelines for effective questioning, including how to invite questions from students.

Use questions to improve class discussion. Steves, A.M.. The discussion method is any teaching technique that uses two-way communication between students and the teacher and among the students themselves as a way to share ideas, opinions, conclusions or experiences. The key components of a productive class discussion are the questioning strategy of the instructor as well as the questions themselves. Previously published in Radiologic Technology, 66, 63-64, 1994.

Using 'Think-Time' and 'Wait-Time' Skillfully in the Classroom (ERIC Digest). ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education. Briefly reviews the relevant literature on wait/think-time in student-teacher interactions such as questioning. Suggests that the skillful use of wait/think-time can improve classroom teaching and learning.