Getting the Most from a Class Discussion Group

111
CHAPTER
14
G
ETTING THE
M
OST FROM
A
C
LASS
D
ISCUSSION
G
ROUP
In small discussion groups,
everyone takes turns
giving their impressions
and opinions about a
chosen subject. Members
listen to each other, think
about how they agree and
disagree with others’
comments, and, depending
upon the assignment,
complete a project or come
to a consensus.
S
mall discussion groups are a popular
way of getting students actively involved in the study topic.
Usually you’ll break into groups of three to eight people. Often,
you wind up in a group with those sitting near you, but sometimes a

teacher wants to arrange the groups in a specific way. He might group
people who have something in common, such as interests, or age, or
both. Or he may intentionally combine people of different interests and
ages so that each group represents the overall mix of the class. Usually the
HOW TO STUDY
112
groups are given a specific assignment. They might, for instance, be asked
to answer questions, debate an issue, work on an experiment, or prepare a
short class presentation. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
WHY WORK IN GROUPS?
When you work with other students in a group, you’re becoming more
responsible for your own learning because your voice is being heard, not just
the instructor’s. This is an easy and comfortable way to get to know students
in your class. You’ll also see that not only are “two heads better than one,”
but three or four contribute even more! To get ready for such interaction,
you may want to review Chapter 16,
“
Working With a Study Buddy.”
T
YPES OF
G
ROUP
A
SSIGNMENTS
Instructors set up groups and give group assignments for different
reasons. Your group may be asked to:
• Discuss something you recently learned, either through reading
or a lecture, to help you solidify what you know and find out what
you still have questions about.
• Do a kind of group pre-reading, exploring a topic you have not

yet learned by finding connections with topics you’ve already
learned.
• Perform a specific task, like dissecting a frog in biology class.
• Respond to a written or oral contribution by each group member.
For instance, in a writing class, each member of the group might
read his or her essay aloud so that other group members can dis-
cuss what’s good and what needs improvement.
T
YPES OF
G
ROUP
S
TRUCTURES
There are different ways for a group to be organized. Yours might be
structured along these lines:
• A leader or timekeeper makes sure each person speaks within a
time limit.
• A recorder or secretary writes down what each person says and
reads back the notes to the group after everyone has spoken.
GETTING THE MOST FROM A CLASS DISCUSSION GROUP
113
• A reporter tells the class what the group discovered or decided in
its discussion.
The instructor may have one person fulfill all these roles, rotating
the position with each class meeting.
Other groups are much less formal. Your instructor may not give
you any instructions at all about who should do what, as long as your
group accomplishes the work it’s assigned. You’ll probably find in such
cases one or two students naturally take the role of leader. Your group
may want to choose someone to take group notes. It’s only fair to try to

pass these roles around rather than having one or two people do all the
work all the time.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR GROUP WORK
As the group solves a problem or comes to a conclusion, every person
needs to know how each other member thinks and feels. In order to
accomplish this, it’s important to follow some basic rules.
G
ROUP
E
TIQUETTE
Be Prepared
Keep up with your assignments. Your group relies on each member’s
opinions and interpretations.
Speak When It’s Your Turn
If you’re nervous about speaking, take a deep breath. Remind yourself
you’re with students who are very similar to you—and who are probably
as nervous as you are. The more you speak, the less nervous you’ll be. Go
back to Chapter 13, “Getting the Most from Class Participation,” for tips
on overcoming stage fright when you speak in your group.
Keep Within the Time Limit
Stay within your time limit, if one is assigned. If not, it’s simply good man-
ners to show consideration and only use your share of the discussion time.
This is the only way everyone can get to speak. Also, there has to be time
at the end of the discussion for the group to come to a conclusion. If it’s
difficult for you to stop talking, try saying what’s most important first.
HOW TO STUDY
114
Pay Attention
Listen carefully when it’s someone else’s turn. It’s a good idea to take
notes. With so many different ideas being talked about, this will help you

to keep track of all ideas and comments.
Help Your Group Get Going
Whether your instructor has students take turns leading each group or
you’re all on your own, the group needs everyone to participate. Be
prepared to coax someone who’s shy. If someone is reluctant to speak,
ask,“How do you feel about this?” or, “Do you agree with ...?”You might
need to remind people to speak loud enough for everyone to hear.
Take Notes
Some instructors have students take turns recording the discussion and
reporting to the class. Even if your group doesn’t have a recorder or
secretary writing down what others say, take notes of what’s happening.
It is also helpful to bring your own tape recorder. These tactics will help
you better remember what was discussed.
T
ALKING IN A
G
ROUP
Not everybody understands best by hearing. Even those that do might be
distracted by what they’re waiting to say, or by what they overhear other
groups talking about.
Try to keep people’s attention by speaking clearly. Look at the faces
of your group members. Does anybody look like they’re not understand-
ing what you are saying? Clues might include a wrinkled forehead or
nose, or even a blank stare. If you get such signals, try speaking more
loudly. If someone still looks like they don’t understand you, try repeat-
ing what you said in a different way. Ask someone, “Could you clearly
hear what I said?” if there’s any doubt you were understood.
L
ISTENING IN A
G

ROUP
A good way to make sure you heard what the speaker wanted you to hear
is to repeat what you thought she said. Since people think faster than they
speak, there’s a good chance she didn’t say quite what she thought she
said—or what she meant was different from what she said. By telling
someone what you heard, you are helping avoid confusion.
GETTING THE MOST FROM A CLASS DISCUSSION GROUP
115
If you’re confused by what someone said, say what you thought you
heard and follow that up with, “Is that what you meant?” If you use the
exact word or phrase that your group-mate used, that will give him the
sense that you understood what he said. Then you might try re-stating
what he said in your own words so that you’ll both know you mean the
same thing.
C
OMING TO A
C
ONCLUSION
After each person has spoken, the recorder reads back what each person
said and the group considers how they see the same thing differently, or
how they agree.
In some cases, your group might be asked to argue the matter until
you come to an agreement. This is called coming to a consensus. This
occurs when each person in the group consents to a certain position.
Reaching consensus takes good communication skills, so be sure to listen
carefully and talk using the guidelines for group etiquette above.
I
N
S
HORT

Group discussion gets everyone involved. But in order for it to work well,
each person needs to focus on the topic at hand, speak within time
limits, listen carefully, and respect others’ opinions. Identify what you
agree with and why—and what you disagree with or are confused about
and why.