Scenario Response 11

To support students in becoming more field-independent, the instructional approaches should encourage analytical thinking, self-reliance, and independent problem solving. Below describes instructional approaches for listening and speaking to accommodate this growth.

• Whole class: structured debate

  • Divide class into two sides for a debate on a relevant topic

    • This requires good listening skills to respond back and forth with classmates

  • Provide clear rules, structure, and expectations for the debate (preperation, speaking time, roles) 

    • This provides structured opportunities to develop speaking skills, express thoughts, and defend their perspectives

  • Students will develop their own arguments and respond to their classmates’ talking points.

    • Promote independent thinking

• Buddies: peer interviews

  • Pair students to conduct an interview with one another on a specific topic

    • Develop speaking and listening skills through asking and answering questions

  • Provide a few questions as a guide, but encourage students to ask their own questions relating to the topic

    • Encourage that “teacher role” by allowing students to generate their own questions

  • Each student will share what they learned about their partner with the class/small group

    • Will require good listening skills to report back to the group

• Small groups: Collaborative problem solving

  • Divide class into small groups and assign each student a role to ensure participation

  • Present a scenario or real-world problem to each group that is related to the curriculum 

    • Facilitate independent thinking without direct teacher guidance

  • Allow each group to work together to solve the problem

    • Develop listening skills to consider and incorporate ideas of their peers

  • Groups will present solution to the class

    • Develop speaking skills 

• Individual/one-to-one after school: Guided Discussion/”ted talk” 

  • Engage student in creating a discussion/”ted talk” on a topic of interest they want to learn more about

    • Improve speaking skills by providing a safe environment for the student to express their ideas

  • Review requirements and structure, offer example videos, and a list of topic ideas but encourage students to choose a topic they are passionate about

    • Promote student to think critically and form their own thoughts, opinions, and ideas

  • Provide feedback and follow-up questions to deepen the discussion and challenge the students thinking

    • Develop listening skills through active discussion/questioning of teacher feedback