The discussion went smoothly as all students participated while the teacher acted as a mediator rather than a lecturer, Granted, Chiseri-Strater is correct on the importance of group discussions, however, her views on lectures seem farfetched. This class is almost entirely devoted to the lecture format. The class is centered around cosmology and thus covers highly technical topics. A group discussion would be meaningless because students are not knowledgeable about this hard science. Furthermore, students are reluctant to ask questions despite the professor's encouragement.
Clusters seem to apply both forms of teaching, which is the best way.
Whether it be a lecture or a discussion, clusters provide a balanced general education. Clusters do seem to accomplish this. Each student has to take one theme from the three different areas, so a liberal education is achieved. This broadens their horizons and gives them a broader base of general knowledge. Moreover, some students are able to select a cluster directly relating to their major.