Discussion as a Way of Teaching

I found this article to be insightful and full of common sense type of stuff. I enjoyed the tips the author provided on how to teach discussion and why it is beneficial for the teacher and students. I especially enjoyed reading “Practicing the dispositions of democratic discussion” part of the pamphlet. Practicing the nine dispositions mentioned: hospitality, participation, mindfulness, humility, mutuality, deliberation, appreciation, hope, and autonomy will definitely benefit a classroom discussion. The disposition which stood out to me was: humility. Humility seems to be missing in many discussions today. Because we live in the Information Age, people assume they know it all. I know I have to stop myself and remind myself—often during discussions—that my knowledge is limited. I liked how the article mentioned, “Humility helps us remember that learning is always an uncertain, even uneasy quest.” This puts it all into perspective. At the end of the day, humility is—in my humble opinion—the key ingredient to having a successful and engaging discussion.  I want to always remember this because when I forget humility, I forget what it means to truly have a democratic discussion.

Chapter 2 of the pamphlet was an interesting read as well. This chapter discussed the fifteen benefits of discussion. There was one benefit which stood out to me: discussion develops new appreciation for continuing difference. I found this benefit to be very insightful. I thought the author hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “An airing of differences can stimulate more discussion and provide an opportunity to clarify one’s views in relation to another’s. This is exactly why I found this benefit of discussion to be the most eye revealing for me. Therefore, as a future teacher, now I understand more clearly the great benefits of discussion and how to make great discussions take place in the classroom—thanks to this great read.