A discussion is an oral exploration of a topic, object, concept or experience. All learners need frequent opportunities to generate and share their questions and ideas in small and whole class settings. Teachers who encourage and accept students' questions and comments without judgement and clarify understandings by paraphrasing difficult terms stimulate the exchange of ideas.
All listeners consider the question.
Incorporate pauses after students' responses to encourage extended or different responses. Clarify students' responses when necessary. Establish student-student dialogues during the discussion whenever possible. Respect students' questions and their responses. Model the role of sensitive listener, collaborator, mediator, prompter, learning partner and questioner.