IF YOU WANT TO:
Beginning the discussion with questions based on common experiences.
Students often feel more comfortable talking about an experience they have in common: a field trip, a slide show, a demonstration, a film, a book, an exhibit, etc. A shared experience can stimulate good discussion because, as they exchange their observations, students frequently discover that they have different perceptions and reactions to the same event. The discussion can then focus on how and why perceptions vary.
An English and a history teacher both apply this technique to their courses. "I like to begin my discussions with a question all students can answer," explains the history professor, "usually dealing with how students felt about the reading." The English professor begins discussion by asking students' reactions to the novel.
Limitations on Use of Suggestion
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