Suggestion 76. Assign students responsibility for summarizing major points

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Encourage class discussion

• Summarize major points

• Teach students to become active listeners

Assigning students responsibility for summarizing the major points.

"At the beginning of the discussion," says a professor of architecture, "one or two students are selected to be the summarizers. Their charge is to take notes, raise questions, and clarify points, so that they can provide a brief five minute summary of the major issues, concerns and conclusions generated during the discussion."

A variation on this technique is for the professor to tell the class, at the beginning of the discussion, that someone will be called on to summarize, but not identify who that student will be. This strategy is designed not only to encourage students to participate more actively in the discussion but to listen more carefully for the main ideas, since they may be called upon to give the summary.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  Discussion

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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