Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms

1999 Critics' Choice Selection of the American Educational Studies Association

In this guide to planning, conducting, and evaluating lively discussions, authors Stephen Brookfield and Stephen Preskill offer a variety of practical ideas, tools, and techniques for creating democratic classrooms. They suggest exercises to get discussion started, strategies for maintaining its momentum, ways to elicit a diversity of views and voices, ideas for creative groupings and formats, and processes to encourage student participation. In exploring the role of the teacher in discussion, they address the tensions and possibilities arising from ethnic, cultural, social class, and gAnder differences. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize how discussion fosters democratic participation and enhances learning. Additionally, they review how to balance the voices of students and teachers, while still preserving the moral, political, and pedagogic integrity of discussion.

From the early stages of preparing students to participate in discussion to the final stages of evaluating its meaning and effects, the authors provide a comprehensive guide to realizing the promises--and avoiding the pitfalls--of this way of teaching. Each chapter contains numerous techniques, suggestions, and applications that can be adapted to a wide range of discussion settings. Sample exercises and formats are provided throughout, including case studies of successful practices. Discussion as a Way of Teaching is an accessible, practical resource for teachers, trainers, faculty, administrators, professional developers, facilitators, and other educational leaders. It will be useful to anyone who uses discussion to help people learn.

STEPHEN D. BROOKFIELD is Distinguished Professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to moving to Minnesota, he was professor in the department of higher and adult education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he is still adjunct professor. A three-time winner of the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education, he also serves as consultant to the adult education doctoral program at National Louis University in Chicago. STEPHEN PRESKILL is associate professor of education and director of the Division of Educational Leadership and Organizational Learning at the University of New Mexico. His main research has focused on the history of American educational reform, biographies of educational leaders, and educating for democracy.