Using discussion protocols

Asking students to engage in small-group discussions can feel like a risky pedagogical choice. Are students talking about the content that is assigned? Are these student-led conversations helping students deepen their understanding of the course content? In this video, Gretchen Brion-Meisels explains a discussion protocol that she uses to ensure that students are having generative discussions aligned to the goals of the lesson. In this protocol, students are asked to provide initial reactions to course content before selecting a focal question. They then use a series of guided prompts to try to answer this question. By giving students a protocol that guides but does not restrict them, Brion-Meisels equips students with the autonomy and flexibility to authentically engage with class concepts in their small-groups.