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The reading has been assigned. You have prepared the questions, in advance. As you ask them, you are met by blank stares. This week on Teaching in Higher Ed: How to get students to participate in discussion with Dr. Stephen Brookfield.
Podcast notes
My guest this week is Dr. Stephen Brookfield. His career has spanned decades, with a focus on helping those of us in higher ed more effective at facilitating learning.
Guest information
His band: The 99ers
Playing music… brings a completely different part of your being into existence. I love that I have this very visceral and emotional side, right front and center in my life, which is a nice contrast to the cognitive element of thinking about teaching.
Definition of terms
Discussion
It isn't people talking. You can actually have silent techniques, like when you use the chalk talk technique.
When a majority of learners are involved in exploring some topic that is of mutual concern to them. In exploring that topic, they're trying to gauge its multiple shades… by taking into account other people's views on it…
Teaching with discussion
Creating the conditions under which that kind of “to and fro”ing can take place.
Assessing discussion
Class participation grading rubric
Techniques for engaging with discussion
Allows for thinking time
Structured silence
Susan Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won't Stop Talking
50 Great Ways to Get People Talking (coming in 2015)
Actualizing democracy
Critical incident questionnaire (been using it for 22 years now: out of thousands of responses – “We really appreciate when you tell us why we're doing what we're doing.”)
The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom
Modeling discussion when teaching
Recommendations
Google voice + hangouts (Bonni)
“Try to find some way of researching how your students are experiencing your teaching.” (Stephen)
Maximize the value of Teaching in Higher Ed
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Suzie Farthing says
Bonni,
I enjoyed this episode very much. I wish I had more time to elaborate on the value that I found in your interview with Dr. Stephen Brookfield. However, I just wanted to drop a line here to tell you thank you for providing educators with more access to Dr, Brookfield’s wisdom. I will be listening to this podcast again and recommending it to my colleagues.
Suzie Farthing
Bonni Stachowiak says
Thanks, Suzie.
He really struck a chord with so many of us. I’ve listened to the episode three times by this point and I keep getting something else out of it each time. I’m excited to know that he’s already agreed to come back on for another episode in the future.
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement.
Bonni
Matt Connell says
This is such as great podcast. I am only an adjunct faculty member but am looking to go full time at some point. The information in this recording and the resources in the notes are amazing!!!
THANK YOU!
~Matt
Bonni Stachowiak says
Thanks for the kind words, Matt. I hope you have had a chance to also listen to the recent episode with Stephen Brookfield. He is truly a master teacher and I’m always so appreciative of when he comes on the podcast. Best wishes as you pursue a full time gig at some point. I suspect there are many who might “gulp” at your use of the word “just” to describe your important role as an adjunct. At many institutions, it is the contingent workforce (our adjuncts) that are most heavily engaged in educating our students. Thank you for what you do, Matt.
Jill Hartley says
What did I learn from this discussion on Engaging learning with discussion? A teacher must create an active learning environment. There must be debate and questioning on both parts. We must use varied designs in our instruction like student to student questioning and
student to instructor.
What are some new ways you may try to encourage student participation based on what you learned, both from the podcast and from your colleagues’ responses?
I believe that we all need active outcomes and that each student should be able to be the teacher not just the teacher lecturing. Each student needs to have an investment in their learning. I know that when students are teaching others students they learn the best.
Bonni Stachowiak says
Thank you for your reflections on what you took away from the episode, Jill. I am still thinking about ways to increase more learner-to-learner interaction in my classes, as well.
Bonni