Too often class discussions follow a call-and-response format rather than producing true dialogue. From chalk talks (where students respond to the ideas they wrote on the board) to designated facilitators (where students practice the art of crafting a conversation), this episode offers eight practical ways to help turn discussions into conversations where students not only talk but also reflect, listen, and respond. (19 minutes)

Sources referenced in and consulted for this episode:

Brookfield, Stephen D. Teaching for Critical Thinking: Tools and Techniques to Help Students Question Their Assumptions. Jossey-Bass, 2012.

Brookfield, Stephen D. and Stephen Preskill. Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms. 2nd edition, Jossey-Bass, 2005.

Howard, Jay R. Discussion in the College Classroom: Getting Your Students Engaged and Participating in Person and Online. Jossey-Bass, 2015.

Palmer, Parker J. To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.