Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms [Import] [Hardcover]

Stephen D. Brookfield (Author), Stephen Preskill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787944580 | ISBN-13: 978-0787944582 | Publication Date: March 26, 1999 | Edition: 1

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stimulating good discussions is often one of the more difficult tasks of teaching. In this book, Brookfield and Preskill offer a wealth of information and strategies for improving dialogues in the classroom. I found the teacher- and student-centered tone of the book refreshing and the connections drawn between democratic education and discussion methods quite meaningful." (Mary Deane Sorcinelli, associate provost and director, Center for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

"Discussion as a Way of Teaching addresses an important, often underutilized pedagogical approach—the discussion method. The book is a practical and valuable resource for all faculty seeking to improve their teaching and create more learner-centered teaching environments." (Jodi Levine, director of first-year programs, Temple University)

"It would be hard for anyone to read this book and not And up with a large number of ideas about how to use discussion in the classroom. Even experienced readers are likely to be challenged in some of their own assumptions." (David Boud, professor of adult education, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia)

"This book provides an excellent overview of how to cultivate and nurture democratic dispositions and discussion habits in students. Each chapter provides adaptable, practical, and clearly articulated strategies that both novice and experienced teachers can use." (Gary Cale, associate professor of language and literature, Jackson Community College)

"Getting discussion started, keeping it going, attention to cultural and gAnder issues are but a few of the chapter headings. Practical, but grounded in theory and sound educational philosophy, this is a very useful volume." (Ted Bowman, editor, Reader's Corner)

Review

Praise for the First Edition of Discussion as a Way of Teaching Winner of the 1999 Choice Selection of the American Educational Studies Association

"Stimulating good discussions is often one of the more difficult tasks of teaching. In this book, Brookfield and Preskill offer a wealth of information and strategies for improving dialogues in the classroom. I found the teacher- and student-centered tone of the book refreshing and the connections drawn between democratic education and discussion methods quite meaningful."
--Mary Deane Sorcinelli, associate provost and director, Center for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

"Discussion as a Way of Teaching addresses an important, often underutilized pedagogical approach—the discussion method. The book is a practical and valuable resource for all faculty seeking to improve their teaching and create more learner-centered teaching environments."
--Jodi Levine Laufgraben, director of first-year programs, Temple University

"It would be hard for anyone to read this book and not And up with a large number of ideas about how to use discussion in the classroom. Even experienced teachers are likely to be challenged in some of their own assumptions."
--David Boud, professor of adult education, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

"This book provides an excellent overview of how to cultivate and nurture democratic dispositions and discussion habits in students. Each chapter provides adaptable, practical, and clearly articulated strategies that both novice and experienced teachers can use."
--Gary Cale, associate professor of language and literature, Jackson Community College, Michigan --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (March 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787944580
• ISBN-13: 978-0787944582
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read, July 25, 2002

By 

Mark Manning - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms (Hardcover)

For people who want to become more effective in using discussion in teaching, especially with adults, this book is an excellent choice. It explains clearly and honestly the value and the limits of using discussion in teaching. From the opening chapter, in which dispositions of discussion are introduced, to chapters on preparing for discussion, sparking discussion, and keeping discussion going, the book remains engaging, practical, and genuinely helpful to those of us striving to become better facilitators of discussion.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide for new teachers, March 18, 2005

By 

W. Jamison "William S. Jamison" (Eagle River, Ak United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms (Hardcover)

I have been teaching for 10 years and have had lots of opportunity to put these techniques into practice. Many of the times discussions did not go well -- and the book describes why. Many times the discussions went well -- and the book describes why. In short, the book reflects the good and bad experiences I have had and so seems true to my experience. I wish I had a book of this sort when I was first starting out. Since discussion is encouraged today as it enables more action in class, but it can be very daunting encouraging students to get started and keep a discussion productive, fair, and equally engaging for all students. So a guide like this can be a great help. Some of the suggestions are very practical and easy to use and make a big difference in the class.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful book!, November 2, 2004

By 

Leanne (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms (Hardcover)

I've been teaching at the college level for over ten years, and I'm always searching for new ideas to use in the classroom. When I ordered this book, I wasn't sure what to expect since the reviews were mixed; however, I was very pleased with this book.

The authors give some really useful and interesting ideas of different techniques and strategies that can be used to promote insightful, prolonged discussions. While I've run across some of the authors' suggestions before (such as using buzz groups or the jigsaw method), most of the suggestions were new and I can certainly see myself using most of the techniques in the classroom in the coming weeks. It is an expensive book, but worth it.