Lab/Small Group Discussion
Facilitating a Discussion
Each of these resources discusses different strategies to get students involved inside the classroom. They include helpful tips on how to generate student involvement and discussion.
Generating Discussion: The TA Guide – Concordia University
Small-group Discussions – Lee Haugen, Iowa State University
Planning to Lead a Discussion on an Assigned Reading – Colorado State University
Guide to Classroom Discussions – Dr. C. Cavanaugh, Educational Technology
The Discussion Class: Interaction Functions – Marilla Svinicki, University of Texas
Class/group Lab
Lab Sections and the TA – Dr. Shirley Ronkowski, University of California
This gives advice to lab TAs on making a plan, implementing the plan, and evaluating what they’ve done.
Lab Sections – Washington University in St.Louis
This provides some examples of what other lab TAs do. They explain experiments, turn questions into learning experiences, and supervise labs.
Recitation/Discussion Sections
Discussion sections can take a number of forms. In the Math Department the hour may be used to go over problems; in Literature class, to critique essays or books; and in Sociology, to clarify and enhance concepts introduced in the lecture. Whatever the particular function of your section you will want your students to be actively involved and participating. The guidelines below are intended to help you accomplish this goal.
Discussion Sections – University of California at Santa Barbara