Sciencline Online Learning Community
Sample Discussion
Students Speaking In Class
The sixteen messages in this discussion were originally posted in a Scienceline Learning Community.
Thursday, December 06, 2001
Students Speaking---The Value
TW
The posed question was:
Do you think that student's speaking with each other is a valuable use of classroom time? Why or Why not?
I agree with K...-- This speaking is a strategy for formulating new ideas. This shared speaking does help new learners gain info and it encourages more knowledgeable learners to be more sophisticated and articulate in sharing their knowledge. They then are careful about the words they use and they way they are presenting their ideas to their peers because they really want to be understood.
When the students listen to others and match it with the ideas that they were formulating, it can shed new light on their thinking. "2 heads are better than one"! This type of speaking to each other and active discussion, may show the kids a new dimension to the topic of discussion.
Sometimes we can overlook ideas, but with discussion (reciprocal) students have the opportunity to compare, analyze, synthesis, debate, investigate, clarify, question and do some many other things. We have learned that doing all assignments individually can stunt progress or hinder max. progress. Discussion has helped me even during my graduate work.
I saw this working so well because the teachers was always around, questioning or listening. She was able to gently nudge discussion or pull it back to a clear path or even open up a new logic. I like how she gave some of them a focus question/situation for a future observation or a new test or for a future "talk" with peers.
Is it valuable----You Betcha!!!
Viva to discussion! :-)
Monday, December 10, 2001
Re: Students Speaking---The Value
CG
Wondered why at the university level we were encouraged to form study groups, yet at the elem./high school level we often expect students to work independently. Employers are saying, to educators, that they need workers who can work, listen and problem solve in groups, with others.
Monday, December 10, 2001
Re(2): Students Speaking---The Value
TW
Exactly. Just as we have elementary students walking in straight lines and then they go to middle and high school and walk in big bunches. No comparison, but I do know what you are talking about.
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Re(2): Students Speaking---The Value
JS
CG writes:
Employers are saying, to educators, that they need workers who can work, listen and problem solve in groups, with others.
Solid point CG. During last summer's Chiwaukee Academy, I went on the business tour to the Johnson Wax, Waxdale Plant. The Waxdale folks listed your point as the #1 need by far.
They go so far as to have the production teams interview and hire new members to the team. Yes, folks the "blue collar" workers are doing their own hiring.
This is nothing new for them either, as they have been doing it for some years. The rational is that to an extent the groups pay is determined by the group's output. So someone who has difficulty with group work will cost all parties money.............so they flat out will not be hired unless the group perceives them as a team player and a good fit.
So much for all the desks in a row and don't talk to your neighbor.
Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Re(3): Students Speaking---The Value
TW
Amen
Friday, December 21, 2001
Re(3): Students Speaking---The Value
ST
JS, this is so true!!!!! My son just graduated with a computer science degree. Fortunately, he got a job with the Kohler Co. (you know, toilets and sinks.....) in Sheboygan. But he was interviewed four different times by four different groups of people.
Ends up that he is working with a team of about 50 people. He says he really likes it and enjoys planning and working with a team. Wow.......things have changed over the years in the work world!!!!! This has really solidified my attitude towards working in cooperative groups all of the time!!! (and different groups on a regular basis)!!!
Just throwing in a tidbit on the subject,
Wednesday, December 26, 2001
Re(4): Students Speaking---The Value
CB
This sure helps reinforce the direction that we are going! :-) I am going to a conference on cooperative challenges in Colorado at the end of February. I'd be happy to share information.
Friday, December 28, 2001
Re(5): Students Speaking---The Value
JS
That would be great CB............
It will be interesting to see if what they present fits with what we have seen in the videos.
Can anyone else, believe how quick this vacation is going?
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Re: Students Speaking---The Value
LH
I find the value of speaking not only good for students, but for me as well. I am able to hear if the student understands as well. Diagnostic teaching . . . assess and teach.
I often ask my students after a new skill, strategy, or idea is introduced to tell me what they have learned. At first, it put them on the spot. Now that they are used to it my students are more aware that something actually happened that day. It seems to make them more involved in the learning as well.
Addition and subtraction with trading was one area in which I asked them to explain what they learned. It was neat to see them use the vocabulary such as place value. Last near, that term did not exist.
In Science, it was fun to use this strategy with thermometers. They really can articulate some interesting ideas!
I still like to have some control over their talking at times and the reiteration of what was said by the student prior to them. Sometimes I will ask them to articulate those ideas on paper instead. This has helped my students form that topic sentence and actually answer the question being asked.
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Re(4): Students Speaking---The Value
LH
Funny how the businesses encourage teamwork on company time! It seems like at the school district one often finds it difficult to communicate just with your team even with the same planning time. Finding the time to communicate with other grade levels is absurd.
It is a shame that more time is not built into our day for this type of group effort. Our schools might be a whole lot stronger if we had more time to talk and plan with one another.
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Re(2): Students Speaking---The Value
JS
Good points, LH. If the student knows that they may be asked to demonstrate understanding of the lesson, they have a reason to be tuned in.................I know I'm that way.
How many staff meetings have we all "kind of" paid attention as we know if its really important we'll find out sooner or later. Conversely if I'm in a situation where I will be expected to comment or somehow demonstrate I know what is going on, I am going to be paying attention.
I have always felt as soon as the kids can correctly use the new words in explanations that they are pretty close to "owning them"...................and it seems once a few of them are using them, others catch on as well. Sort of a situation where, child A didn't make a fool out himself using that term, so it is probably safe for me to try it too.
All these things seem to happen much more readily in an environment where kids talk and are open to taking some chances.
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Re(6): Students Speaking---The Value
TW
JS writes:
Can anyone else, believe how quickly this vacation is going
NO. I can't believe it! I have done so much, yet I have so many other things that I would like to do still. Don't let the thought of Thursday ( or the first day back to school) take the umph out of the rest of your time off.
Trying not to let the thought of Thursday ruin Mon., Tues., and Wednesday,
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Re(5): Students Speaking---The Value
TW
LH writes:
Finding the time to communicate with other grade levels is absurd. It is a shame that more time is not built into our day for this type of group effort. Our schools might be a whole lot stronger if we had more time to talk and plan with one another.
You are so right. I was organizing some notes and things that I had gotten from inservices and workshops this past year, and one point made by a guest speaker was that if people want REAL SUCCESS with our students, we must be given time to prepare for their instruction.
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Re(5): Students Speaking---The Value
TW
JS writes:
Conversely if I'm in a situation where I will be expected to comment or somehow demonstrate I know what is going on, I am going to be paying attention.
ME TOOO!
Monday, December 31, 2001
Re(6): Students Speaking---The Value
CB
JS writes:
Can anyone else, believe how quick this vacation is going?
No! When do all of you go back? We return on the 3rd! :-(.
After all of this traveling and extended family time, I'm ready to slow down and have time at home with or immediate family. Do you all feel the same way? The time off is way too short this year!
Monday, December 31, 2001
Re(5): Students Speaking---The Value
CB
LH writes:
Funny how the businesses encourage teamwork on company time! It seems like at the school district one often finds it difficult to communicate just with your team even with the same planning time. Finding the time to communicate with other grade levels is absurd. It is a shame that more time is not built into our day for this type of group effort.
How true! Last year I pressured our principal into having a grade level meeting scheduled into the day once a week. He reluctantly agreed to it and has been helpful. In fact, he pushed some other grades to do the same, once he saw the importance of it. Now meeting with other grade levels--that would be super. When to do it though! :-(
