How Rich Discussions Impact Student Learning: Five Engaging Strategies for the Classroom

Outline

Introduction and Setting the Stage (10 mins)
Welcome and Session Goals:

Overview of the session objectives, highlighting research by Fisher, Frey, Hattie, and Alexander on the impact of structured discussions on student learning.
Icebreaker activity to model effective discussion starters and set a collaborative tone.

Understanding the Impact of Rich Discussions:
Presentation on the research findings from Visible Learning for Literacy and A Dialogic Teaching Companion, showing how structured discussions enhance literacy skills and overall student engagement.

Strategies for Rich Discussions (20 mins)

Implementing Discussion Protocols:
Introduction to discussion protocols such as Socratic Seminar, Fishbowl, and Think-Pair-Share.

Interactive Activity: Participants will role-play a discussion using one of these protocols, focusing on equity and engagement.

Elevating Student Voice and Leadership:
Techniques for empowering students as leaders and decision-makers in classroom discussions.

Case Study: Examples of how student-led discussions have impacted classroom dynamics and learning outcomes.

Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment (10 mins)

Differentiating Discussions for Diverse Learners:
Strategies for adapting discussion protocols to meet diverse learning needs, supported by Fisher and Frey's emphasis on differentiation and personalized learning in Visible Learning for Literacy.

TLP Integration: Applying principles of Cultivating Belonging and Connecting Learning to the Learner to support all students in discussions.

Establishing Collaborative Learning Guidelines:
Tips for creating clear norms and expectations that ensure meaningful participation from all students, supported by Alexander’s research on dialogic teaching.

Using Digital Tools to Support In-Person Discussions (10 mins)

Interactive Exercise: Participants will use a tool to create a discussion prompt and practice integrating it into a classroom setting.

Reflection and Action Planning (10 mins)

Developing an Action Plan:
Participants will create a plan to implement at least two new discussion strategies in their classrooms, considering student needs and classroom dynamics.
Reflection Exercise: Participants will share their action plans and provide feedback to peers using a collaborative tool like Padlet.

Next Steps and Closing Reflection:
Group reflection on how to sustain rich discussions in classroom settings and strategies for continuous improvement.

Supporting research

Fisher, D., Frey, N., & Hattie, J. (2016). Visible Learning for Literacy: Implementing the Practices That Work Best to Accelerate Student Learning. Corwin.

This book highlights evidence-based strategies for engaging students in rich discussions and improving their literacy skills through structured dialogue. It provides a research foundation for using discussion protocols and feedback to enhance student learning outcomes.

Alexander, R. (2018). A Dialogic Teaching Companion. Routledge.

This resource provides a comprehensive guide to dialogic teaching, which is grounded in research showing that structured discussions can significantly improve student engagement and learning outcomes. It supports the idea of using protocols to create a culture of talk in the classroom.

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. Routledge.

Hattie’s research emphasizes the significant impact of student engagement and feedback on learning. The book provides empirical support for strategies that involve student participation and interaction, such as discussion protocols and peer feedback.