Basic structure and task functions of classroom discussion

Structure of classroom Discussion:

Basic structure and task functions of classroom discussion

Marella and Sonicke (133-134,PP, 2011) have described classroom action very clearly. For classroom discussion, it is important to form a small group that is engaged in completing of an assigned group task. If every student in the group is aware of the various activities and their responsibilities to make the discussion more effective, the class can do its job much better. Each participant in the class discussion has his own role. Some students prefer leadership, some work to keep the class focused on task completion, and some students maintain the serious nature of the work for the class.

 

The different roles played by students in class discussion are discussed bellow.

 

Task Functions:

 

Students usually play the following types of roles.

 

i:- Information or Opinion Giver:

 

Presents facts, Information and ideas make the discussion effective.

 

ii:- Information and opinion seeker:

 

Raises questions on relevant information, opinion, ideas, suggestions and facts to make the discussion more effective.

 

iii:- Initiate:

Suggests issues and objectives for the initiation of activity in the classroom.

 

iv:- The director:

focuses on the completion of the assigned work and plans to move the conversation forward.

   





v:- Summarizer:

Gathers related ideas and material and briefly restates important points.

vi:- The coordinator: Brings together different ideas and coordinates the activities of subgroups and other members to form a relation.

vii:- Evaluator:

Indicates  the difficulties and obstacles faced in the effective functioning of the class and the achievement of its objectives.

viii:- Reinforcer:

Creates motivation for high and quality performance in the class.

ix:- Facts finder:

Examines the practicality and effectiveness of ideas, suggests alternative solutions and estimates and implements on real situation to test their performance.

x:- Reveiwer:

Tests class decisions and results against prescribed standards.

 

2:- Social Character:

Basic structure and task functions of classroom discussion

These roles consist of communication, conversation and group action between individuals.

These functions are performed by the  following methods.

i:- Encouraging involvement:

Warmly encourages everyone's involvement, makes introductions

demonstrates openness and acceptance of others' ideas, responsible and frank with group members.

ii:- Build harmony and compromise:

Persuades members to constructively analyze disagreements, finds common ground in contradictions and try to reconcile differences.

iii:- Stress-reliever:

Reduces stress and creates a sense of humor, relaxation, and pleasant atmosphere for team work.

 

iv:- Communication Facilitator:

Demonstrates and ensures excellent interpersonal communication skills and makes it possible that every member is understanding the conversation of other members.

 

v:- Emotional climate analyzer:

Asks members that what they feel about the work of the group and other members and expresses his opinion about both of them.

vi:- Observer:

Observes the performance of the group and uses this observation to evaluate the group's effectiveness.

 

vii:- Setting standards:

Sets standards for the right direction of work to the members, the pace of progress in the work from time to time and the ways of work of the class and informs about rules.

viii:- Attentive Listener:

Plays the role of interested listener and accepts and agrees the ideas of others without conflict.

ix:- Trusted:

Provides acceptance and support for the performance of other members which strengthens the potential to face risks and encourages individuality.

x:- Interpersonal problems solver:

Assists in debating inconsistencies to increase group consensus and resolve mutual differences.

 

 

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