Discussion in a Democratic Society & How it Helps Learning and Enlivens Classrooms

9/28/2014

       Discussion can be used do evoke a variety of options and principals that singularly, a person may not have considered or thought about. Through using discussion, assuming everyone in a group or class setting participates and offers ideas, the ideas and conversations generated lets us learn from and through the participants of the discussion. When a topic is discussed, especially one that takes a position on an issue like the DNR situation, opinions on the issue typically vary and then the discussion produces positive and negative aspects resulting in more of a debate setting. This I believe allows for a more three dimensional look at an issue. 

Discussion I believe allows students and people in general to develop skills needed to defend an idea in addition to developing ideas as to alternative solutions or ideas. Through discussion, a topic, idea, or scenario can really be dissected and what seems a simple idea can become a very complex range of opinions. 

From both perspectives student or teacher, ideas are being exchanges that usually weren’t considered from an individual standpoint and the learning that happens continues to grow. Hearing another’s take on a scenario often will spark other ideas and avenues. It is a great way to dig into a topic and see how in depth things can become. Discussion searches for and helps find a “deeper understanding” of things. 

The article says that discussion nurtures and promotes human growth; a statement I couldn’t agree more with. I have always preferred discussion over lecture in terms of a classroom or meeting simply because I feel a sense of equality. From both student and teacher perspective, when discussion is the method of the analysis, I am not embarrassed to speak, in fact I feel like I can speak and I always learn more about the topic at hand because people contribute ideas that I never would have considered as an individual. Discussion gives everyone an opportunity to share and contribute because each person can provide the whole group with an avenue to dig deeper into the subject. Everyone has to be inviting and hospitable when a discussion is happening or it won’t be successful. There are a lot of forms of respect and trust between discussion participants that has to be present in order for a discussion to be successful. People can’t be afraid to speak or talk about the way they think, just as people need to leave their egos and such out of the discussion for the sake of keeping things at a respectful and open level of  learning and understanding. No one can be “the expert”, its discouraging. Everyone is equal in a discussion.

Collective Wisdom. Motivation to Learn. Exposure of New Ideas. 

When we compare discussion and conversation, I think that the simplest way to decipher between the two is their purpose. Discussion is aimed more so at developing and desiring a deeper understanding on a topic or issue. Discussion requires everyone to incorporate their opinion and understanding of something which allows the perspectives and depth of the topic to be explored from every angle. While conversation is more casual and isn’t necessarily aimed at seeking a deeper meaning, understanding or purpose of a subject or issue. Discussion is more serious and formal while conversation is less serious and more informal. Visually, I picture a discussion to have a more serious tone and taking place in a classroom or designated meeting space where a large number of people can contribute opinions and ideas equally where as I picture a conversation taking place at a coffee shop between a small group of two to three people simply speaking as a means of enjoyment and entertainment. 

Through discussion we learn to listen and understand the other’s thinking and ideas just as much as we do our own (to an extent). Discussion helps make participants more aware of their thoughts and the thoughts of other by considering, building off of, and respecting others. Discussion is a social skill that affects humans in not just an area of problem solving or idea development but also in social interaction. 

Application to my primary subject of teaching...

         In both student and teacher situations a like, I appreciate the use of discussion greatly because I feel of value to what is happening. I feel active and the questions and thoughts I have are so much more creative and in depth than just listening to someone lecture or being the one lecturing. When I have discussions with my art students about compositions we are viewing, students see things that I have never seen or considered and probably never would have without them having drawn my attention to it. In art, discussion is huge because it is how we judge and form opinions on works of art. What is good, bad, necessary, unnecessary, new, creative, smart, raw, and Lord only knows what else. Opinions and discussion in the art world is a necessity for not only progression but for growth and development.