Socials Learning

Today, February 5th, the morning class had a discussion about…discussions. It’s been a bit of a dilemma for some time now, where some people speak more during discussions than other people. Today we attempted to try to solve the problem. Before today however we were asked to brainstorm some ideas as to why people didn’t speak and how we can start the discussion (and keep it going).

Starting off we brought our answers to class and shared them with our quads and then our class. Here’s a few reasons of why people don’t participate:

• shy
• tired
• “on the spot”
• can’t think of anything to contribute
• uncertainty
• “someone said my piece”
• not good enough of an answer
• the conversation moves too fast
• aural learning v.s. oral learning
• lack of understanding
• judgement
• big group
• don’t want to be 1st
• unprepared
• “it’s not the right time” (emotions and other stresses get in the way)
• not passionate/ no personal relevance
• no obligation 
• inadequacy

Maybe I lied, there’s more than a few. Anyways, the things that are underlined we found to have some common ground and as you can see, they came up a lot. We discussed a lot of these topics and a point that came up a lot, especially when comparing discussions in the woods v.s. discussions in the classroom, is that most people feel more pressure because they know they are being graded. We ended up having a pretty lengthy conversation.

Next as a class we brainstormed goals for getting over the things that are holding some of us back. Here’s where you should pay attention in this post because these can be put to use in other areas of schooling and life as well. Below are goals that we feel would help us become better learners and speakers.

Personal Goals:

1) make one contribution each day.

2) volunteer to speak for your group.

Moderator Goals:

1) ask individuals what they think.

Preparedness:

1) read!!!

2) form an opinion and/or ask a question

3) challenge ourselves to grow

4) discuss with others

5) bring questions to ask

6) blog

7) preview the questions/content we will be discussing

Layout/Set up of Conversation: 

1) clarifying/synthesizing conclusion

2) circle or small groups

3) immediate feedback

So there are some ideas, we collectively, as a class, put together of how to speak more in class. Our hope is that these goals will come to fruition and be used in socials as well as other subject areas. Every ones voice needs to be heard because everyone has an opinion and questions that may lead to the next great discussion in the classroom! Because, despite all of this we do have great discussions; we just need to find a way to get everyone involved. Hopefully we can grow by June and not go through this again throughout the year. We hope these help!