in college what is course discussion

Course discussions give you the opportunity to start conversations with other learners, ask questions that other learners or members of the course team can answer, and interact with other learners in the course. Where do I find course discussions? In your course, click the Discussionstab.

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What are course discussions and how do I use them?

Course discussions give you the opportunity to start conversations with other learners, ask questions that other learners or members of the course team can answer, and interact with other learners in the course. Where do I find course discussions? In your course, click the Discussions tab.

What is class discussion and why is it important?

Class discussion has also been linked to greater student motivation, improved communication skills, and higher grades (Howard, 2015). But just like effective lectures or assignments require planning and preparation, so too does class discussion.

How to create the perfect discussion post for your online college courses?

This article will highlight some great tips for creating the perfect discussion post for your online college courses. Make sure that your posts facilitate comments. Sometimes in a discussion forum the questions can be worded so that everyone’s responses are similar.

What are the different types of class discussion?

Class discussion can take many forms, from structured prompts and assignments to more casual or informal conversations. Regardless of class context (e.g.: a seminar, large lecture, or lab course) or the form (e.g.: in-person or asynchronous) discussion takes, it offers a number of benefits to students’ learning.

What do you do in a discussion class?

Classroom discussion is a practice in which the instructor and students share views on a specific topic previously lectured. Promoting and facilitating classroom discussions can not only help students learn from one another but also help students understand and retain the lecture better.

What is the difference between a lecture and discussion?

Lectures are taught by your professor – you go in, sit with EVERYONE enrolled in the course, and listen to your professor teach! Discussions are smaller, usually with 15-30 people, and are taught by GSIs (graduate student instructors).

How do you participate in a college class discussion?

Tips for Participating in Class DiscussionsRead the assignment. Class discussions are usually about a particular topic, and there are usually assigned readings. The first step is to read carefully the assigned material.Make notes for discussion. Make notes on points about which you agree or disagree.

Why are there discussion sections in college?

The purpose of having two parts to class is pretty simple. In a lecture class with generally 100 students or more, the class time is precious to the professor and there isn't adequate time for all students to get one on one help. To combat this, discussion sections were created.

What are discussion sessions?

Discussion sections provide opportunities for collaboration and active learning that do not always take place in a traditional lecture context. The role of section goes beyond clearing up any confusion remaining after the course material has been presented in lecture.

What does lecture discussion mean?

In the study, lecture-discussion method is the teaching method that is designed to help students understanding the organized body of knowledge, i.e. the topics that relate the facts, concepts, principles, and procedures, and make the relationship between them explicit and clear (Eggen & Kauchak, 2007; Rosenshine, 1987) ...

What is the purpose of the class discussion?

The goal of a discussion is to get students to practice thinking about the course material. Your role becomes that of facilitator. You design and facilitate the discussion rather than convey information.

How do you prepare for a discussion?

7 Tips to Prepare for a Challenging DiscussionDo your research. Make sure you have all the facts ahead of time. ... Understand your audience. Put yourself into their frame of mind; how would you feel if you were in their place? ... Consider timing. ... Create a plan. ... Talk their language. ... Find mental focus. ... Rehearse.

How do you participate in a discussion?

How to Effectively Participate in Group DiscussionsBe thoroughly prepared. ... Arrive a few minutes before the meeting. ... Speak confidently. ... Use an appropriate tone. ... When confronted by others, focus on the issue under discussion and remain polite. ... If your idea is stated by others first, don't feel there is nothing else to say.

What is the purpose of establishing the discussion section?

The purpose of the discussion section is to interpret and describe the significance of your findings in relation to what was already known about the research problem being investigated and to explain any new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your research.

What are discussion classes in UCLA?

Some UCLA undergraduate courses have class meetings for lecture only, while some courses have meetings to discuss and learn more about lecture in smaller sub-groups in addition to the class meetings for lecture. The sub- groups for these additional class meetings are called discussion sections.

How do you lead a good discussion section?

Highlight one main question or no more than three main points. Focus on ideas and skills.  Tell students why the topics or questions are relevant to mastering the material, to understanding larger issues, and to doing well in the class (writing the paper).  Define terms.

What are discussion topics?

Discussion topics are created by the course team and organize all posts in the course discussion. Discussion topics can be course-wide or content-specific.

How do I join my course's discussions?

You can ask a question or start a conversation within a topic, or respond to someone else's post or response. For more information, see Adding posts in a discussion .

The What and Why of Class Discussion

Class discussion can take many forms, from structured prompts and assignments to more casual or informal conversations. Regardless of class context (e.g.: a seminar, large lecture, or lab course) or the form (e.g.: in-person or asynchronous) discussion takes, it offers a number of benefits to students’ learning.

Identifying your Course Context

While the strategies and considerations provided throughout this resource are adaptable across course contexts, it is important to recognize instructors’ varied course formats, and how discussion might differ across them.

Planning for Classroom Discussion

Regardless of your course context, there are some general considerations for planning a class discussion; these considerations include: the goals and expectations, the modality of discussion, and the questions you might use to prompt discussion.

Warming up for Classroom Discussion

Get students comfortable talking with their peers, you, and the TA (s) (as applicable) from the start of the course. Create opportunities for students to have pair or small group conversations to get to know one another and connect as a community.

Engaging in Classroom Discussion

With all of your preparation and planning complete, there are some important considerations you will need to make with both your students and yourself in mind. This section offers some strategies for engaging in classroom discussion.

Wrapping up Classroom Discussion

Ensure that the discussion meets the learning objectives of the course or class session, and that students are leaving the discussion with the knowledge and skills that you want them to acquire. Give students an opportunity to reflect on and share what they have learned.

Leveraging Asynchronous Discussion Spaces

Asynchronous discussion spaces are an effective way for students to prepare for in-class discussion, as well as expand upon what they have already discussed in class. Asynchronous discussion boards also offer a great space for students to reflect upon the discussion, and provide informal feedback.

Why is political context important?

Political context is important because it helps us to see how choices and events are all connected—throughout time and across geographic borders.

Can you use personal experience in class?

You can still use personal experience/opinion in class discussions, just be sure to acknowledge that that’s what it is. Do not present opinions as though they are facts. If possible, explain how your individual experience might relate to the larger, more general conversation.

Can college students have different views?

College students and college instructors can have very different views. Some views are deeply ingrained and very passionately defended. Before you start to speak (or type) in bold, black-and-white terms, remember that you might be addressing someone who disagrees with your opinion.

Is it possible to encounter unlikeable people in college?

Argue Issues, Not Personal Scores. It’s almost guaranteed that you will encounter some unlikeable people in college. Unlikeable people are everywhere—at work, at school, at the grocery store, at PTA meetings... They may be unlikeable for any number of reasons. Maybe they are loud and annoying.

Why is online discussion important?

The takeaway: Online discussions are a great way to think deeply about content by sharing ideas with classmates.

Why do faculty assign discussion board questions?

Online faculty assign discussion board questions because there is an overwhelming amount of research saying students deeply learn and grow through frequent conversations and debates on salient academic topics. Researchers say the online forum promotes deeper engagement with subject matter and gives a voice to those feeling stigmatized. [.

What can students scan for in a physical classroom discussion?

In a physical classroom discussion, before students answer a question asked by the professor, they can scan for subtle nonverbal reactions of classmates. They can also wait to hear the opinions of the students who are confident enough in their own convictions to speak first.

Why is discussion important?

Overview. Discussion is important to learning in all disciplines because it helps students process information rather than simply receive it. Leading a discussion requires skills different from lecturing. The goal of a discussion is to get students to practice thinking about the course material.

Can you pick which student reports from each group?

You can pick which student reports from each group, though you should tell them in advance that you plan to do this. This makes everyone in the group responsible. You don’t have to hear back from every group, but can instead choose a few at random. When groups start repeating ideas, it’s time to stop.

What is a course in college?

Meanwhile, a course is a set of classes that you take throughout the semester.

What is the difference between a lecture and a class?

A lecture is a type of class wherein a professor stands in front of students and talks about a subject for an extended period of time. During lectures, students may ask questions, but the entire conversation is pretty much centered on what the professor has to say.

What is a 1 unit course?

In general, a 1-unit course refers to a course that has 1-hour classes that meet once a week. A 2-unit course will be a course with classes that meet twice a week, and so on and so forth.

How long does a workshop take?

Unlike seminars, however, most workshops usually take around a whole day to multiple days, depending on the subject matter and the occasion.

Why Was A Class added?

• That class was added because you are required to take both a discussion and lecture for some classes. The common situation at my (large) school was that there was a lecture A and a lecture B that met at different times during the week. Then there were many discussion sections at vari…

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