Mod 15 Video Discussion

The first video reminded me that I need to a more consistent job of reviewing discussion protocols before we discuss, and build upon their discussion skills. I teach high school, and mostly 11th and 12 grade, so I sometimes forgo this aspect assuming all of my students are comfortable with our discussion protocols.

The second video presented a structured, jigsaw approach to preparing for and then having a discussion, which I will use in my classes going forward. Working in small groups to discuss a text helps students learn because they get to see the text from different perspectives. The small groups help the students model for each other. But giving students an opportunity to become experts through a jigsaw approach deepens their knowledge because it requires 1) the ability to have a discussion with other students exploring the same topic; and then 2) the ability to effectively synthesize the information and become “experts” who teach other people. I also liked the fact that these expert sessions were timed to keep the class moving. I can certainly see why he level of student engagement in this teacher’s class went the roof.