Discussion involves two-way communication between participants. In the classroom situation a teacher and students all participate in discussion. During discussion, the teacher spends some time listening while the students spend sometimes talking. The discussion is, therefore, a more active learning experience for the students than the lecture.

1. Discussion Method of Teaching
Compiled By,
Rupa Gupta

2. Discussion
• The word ‘discuss’ has been derived from Latin
root ‘discutere’, which means to shake or strike.
• Thus ‘discussion’ refers to thoroughly shaking up
the subject, that is, examining it thoroughly to
reach a conclusion.
• A discussion is an activity of sitting and talking
about a specific subject.

3. Discussion method
• Discussion involves two-way communication between
participants.
• In the classroom situation a teacher and students all
participate in discussion.
• During discussion, the teacher spends some time
listening while the students spend sometimes talking.
• The discussion is, therefore, a more active learning
experience for the students than the lecture.

4. Characteristics
• Ensure maximum participation.
• Students have the opportunity to criticize and
evaluate.
• Logical and meaningful criticism should be
accepted.
• Students should anchor the discussion themselves.
• Keeping teachers as guide.

5. Contd..
• Teacher selects the topic only with the help of students.
• Teacher divides the class into different groups and
gives the topic of the discussion to each group.
• Every group has a leader to anchor and conduct the
discussion.
• Student who have leadership quality should be selected
for anchoring.

6. Contd..
• Relevant topic should only be considered.
• In the end, teacher draws the conclusion of the
discussion with the help of leaders.

7. Forms of discussion
 Discussion may be informal or it may be a
formal activity organised in the form of:
- Debate
- Symposium
- Panel
- Seminar
- Brain storming.

8. Procedure of discussion
• The whole process of discussion is divided
into four :
(a) Preparation
(b) Conduct of discussion
(c) Assessment
(d) Recording.

9. Appropriate use of discussion
• Discussion method is used in areas in which
students already have some knowledge or
experience, discussion may be used to
develops the main points to be used to develop
the main points to be covered in a lesson.
• Students can draw on their experience to
contribute to the discussion.

10. Contd..
• All subject expect :
- mathematics
- art
- music
and - dance
can be taught.
• Discussion may also be used, following a lecture or
demonstration, to help trainees apply what they have
learned.

11. Role of teachers in discussion method.
• Express own opinion.
• Establish rules.
• Encourage participation.
• Support the ideas of students.
• If students hesitate, provide them with clues without
saying answer.
• Simplify the question if they find it difficult.
• Attend all students avoid favouritism.

12. Advantages of discussion method.
Discussion method can develop following abilities among
students.
• Thinking and communicating powers
• Leadership quality
• Expression ability
• It develops study habits.
• Problem solving ability
• Creativity
• Motivation and Confidence

13. Contd..
• It is activity oriented.
• It teaches how to study purposefully.
• It helps the teacher to find leadership quality among
students.
• It helps in clarifying ideas, issues etc.
• It creates better understanding of the topic, issues, events,
ideas or concepts
 In short higher level cognitive and affective
objectives can be realized through discussion method.

14. Disadvantage of discussion method
• There is a chance that only a few students may
dominate the whole class.
• It is possible that discussion is initiated on
those aspects of the problem with which few
prominent students of the class are concerned.
• It is time consuming.

15. Contd..
• Not adaptable to all teaching-learning
situations.
• If it is not properly guided, a discussion can
degenerate into a consideration of
inappropriate topics adding confusion rather
than clarification to the lesson.