Group Discussion is a teaching method that involves a customized form of class lectures. In this model, the focus is shared between teachers and students throughout the information exchange. Usually, a teacher will stand in front of the class and present the latest information for students to learn but students will also participate in answering questions and providing examples.

Advantages of Group Discussions as Teaching Methods

Many teachers support this method because group conversations as a whole provide greater interaction between teachers and students.

It provides the advantage of flexibility within the classroom, despite the shortcomings of traditional lectures. In this model, the instructor gives up the format that dictates the lecture and instead controls what is taught by controlling the conversation. Here are some other positive results of this teaching method:

• Academic learning finds them appealing to their learning styles.
• The teacher can check what is preserved by the student through the questions raised.
• Whole group discussion is convenient for many teachers as it is a customized form of lecture.
• Students have a tendency to continue to pile on lessons because they may be asked to answer questions.
• Students may feel more comfortable asking questions during the group discussion.

Disadvantages of Group Discussions as a Teaching Methods

Group discussions may annoy some teachers, because they need to establish and enforce basic rules for students.

If this rule is not enforced, then the possibility of discussion can quickly be ruled out. This requires managing a classroom, something that can be a challenge for inexperienced teachers. Some of the disadvantages of this option include:

• Students who are weak in retrieval skills will have more trouble understanding what they need to remember than group conversations. It is more than just a lecture in many cases because it is not only the teacher but also the student who is talking about the lesson.
• Some students may feel uncomfortable in their place during the group discussion.

Strategies for Group Conversations

Many of the strategies below can help counteract the "cons" created by class conversation.

• Think-Pair-Share: This technique is very popular in low grades to promote speaking and listening skills. First, ask students to think about their response to the question, then ask them to pair up with another person (usually someone close to each other). The pair discuss their responses, and then they share those responses with the larger group.
• Philosophy chair: In this strategy, the teacher reads a statement that has only two possible responses: agree or disagree. The student moves to one side of the class marked as agree or disagrees. When they are in both of these groups, students take turns defending their position. 

NOTE: This is also a great way to introduce new concepts to the class to see what students know or don't know about a particular topic.

• Fishbowl: Perhaps the best-known classroom conversation strategy, is recommended with two students of four sitting facing each other in the center of the class. All the other students sat around him.

Students sitting in the center discuss the questions or topics that have been set (with notes). Students in the outer circle take notes on conversations or techniques used. This exercise is a good way to have students practice conversational techniques by using follow-up questions, describing other people's issues or using other words. In a variation, the outside student may provide a quick note ("fish food") by passing it on to the inside student to use in their conversation.

• Concentric Circle Strategy: Organizes students into two circles, one outside the circle and one inside the circle so that each inside student is paired with an outside student. When they face each other, the teacher asks the group questions. Each pair discusses how to react. After this brief discussion, the student in the outer circle moves one room to the right.

This means that each student will be part of the new couple. The teacher may have it share the results of the discussion or create new problems. This process may be repeated several times during the class period.

• Pyramid Strategy: Students begin this strategy in pairs and answer the questions with single partner. On a cue from the teacher, the first pair accompanies another pair forming a group of four. These collections share their (best) ideas. Next, a set of four steps to form a set of eights to share their best ideas. This amalgamation can be continued so that the whole class is joined in one big conversation.
• Walking Gallery: Different stations are arranged around the classroom, on the wall or on the table. Students move from station to station in small batches. They perform tasks or respond promptly. Small talk is encouraged at every station.
• Carousel Walk: Posters are formed around the classroom, on the wall or on the table. Students are divided into small groups, one group to posters. The noisy structure of the group and reflects the question or idea by writing on the poster for a certain period of time. On cue, the group moves in circles (like a carousel) to the next poster. They read what the first batch had written, and then augment their own thoughts by uplifting and reflecting. Then on another cue, all the groups move again (like a carousel) to the next poster. This continues until all posters have been read and have a response.

NOTE: The period needs to be shortened after the first round.

Each station helps students process new information and read other people's thoughts and ideas.

Final Thoughts:

Whole group discussion is an excellent teaching method when used in conjunction with other methods. Directions should be changed from day to day to help reach most learners. Teachers need to provide students with note-taking skills before starting a conversation. It is important for the teacher to manage and facilitate conversation. The question-and-answer technique is effective for this. Two

The questioning technique used by teachers is to increase their waiting period after a question is asked and only ask one question at a time.

Reference:

Adaptation:

• Kelebihan dan Kelemahan Perbincangan Kumpulan Keseluruhan

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