Discussion Matters: Three Tips for Greater Engagement

Students in mock discussion in classroom scenario.

Even small adjustments in classroom discussions can yield outsized effects on engagement and learning. Consider these evidence-informed discussion strategies:

Start with a purpose. Before launching into discussion, pause to ask: What is the goal of this conversation? Maybe it’s to analyze a problem, connect theory to lived experience, or unpack a complex argument. When you clarify the purpose, for yourself and your students, you create focus and momentum.
Ask better questions. Prompts that are too broad can stall out; ones with simple right/wrong answers can shut things down. Aim for questions that invite reasoning, interpretation, or judgment. For example: Where might this model break down in practice?
Set the stage for participation. Creating an environment where all students feel safe speaking up takes intentional groundwork. Discuss participation norms early in the course and revisit them as needed. You could invite students to co-create questions. Consider offering multiple ways to contribute, like small-group conversations or collaborative documents.

Go to Effective Discussions for more discussion tips.