Group discussion helps the students to understand what they are taught during the normal class sessions. Group discussion, like any other task, requires following certain important procedures. This paper, therefore, will discuss the importance of group discussion and analyze the important procedures that are required for it to be effective. In addition, it will handle this task by giving a report on the suitable procedures that ensure success in the discussion.
Normal teaching in schools whereby the teacher stands in front of the students with pre-written notes to give a lecture is not sufficient in ensuring that all the students understand the subject. Group discussion, therefore, comes in as the best supplement for normal tuition and is significant in learning institutions. Like any other classroom tasks, discussions are very important and of great help to the students. Once the lecturer or the course instructor assigns the tasks, there are specific procedures that the students ought to follow in order to complete the task successfully. The procedures are to be of great importance in ensuring that all the students benefit from this task.
To begin with, the subject of discussion had to be there, and it was of great importance. The students could choose the subject of discussion, or the lecturer could assign one. Once the students decided on the discussion topic, each student had to try as much as possible to understand it. The students, therefore, had to take initiatives as individuals to understand the topic of discussion by searching from the available literature, reading the class notes, or consulting from the lecturer.
After each student was okay with the topic of discussion, the next procedure was the formation of a group. The course instructor or the lecturer could play an active role in selecting the members of a particular group, or he could be influential in the choice made by the students in selecting the group members. The other option that worked was the lecturer giving the students the freedom to choose their group members. The students preferred the latter option and formation of groups was according to the choice of the students.
After the formation of the groups was complete, selecting and setting the stage or the place for discussion was the next important procedure. For effectiveness in this task, all the members of a particular group had to be satisfied with the stage selected. Setting the stage was also of great importance and the best-set stage was the one with chairs arranged in a circular manner.
The other step was for the students in a particular group to familiarize with each other. At this stage, it was important for the students to choose the group leader and the group secretary. These persons had to play the important roles of leading the discussion and recording of the proceedings.
Outlining the points that were to form the basis for discussion was the next important procedure. In this point, the students could participate in raising the points or the group leader could make the suggestion. The group secretary had to carry out his role of recording all the points that arose during this session so that they could help for future reference.
The actual discussion had to be the final and the most important part in this task. In the discussion, each of the group members had to play an active role in contributing to the discussion. The students participated in the discussion process by either being for or against the point or the motion of discussion as well as applying the knowledge they had in tackling the subject of discussion. During this procedure, the group secretary had to record all the points raised or agreed upon by all members in the discussion.
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