Effective Discussions
Whether you are sharing new concepts, telling a story, or walking students through a complex process, your presentation style can make a meaningful difference in how students understand and connect with course material. Engaging presentations are about clarity, purpose, and creating space for students to think, question, and respond.
Core Principles
Below are some core principles to consider as you plan or refine your classroom presentations:
Start by identifying your main goals for the session. What 2–3 ideas do you want students to walk away with? Build your presentation around those core takeaways. Sharing a brief roadmap at the beginning can help students stay oriented and track what is most important.
Long, uninterrupted explanations can be difficult to absorb. Every 10–15 minutes, consider pausing for a quick activity or check-in. Ask a question, pose a short prompt for reflection, or invite a pair-share discussion. These small breaks can reinforce learning and keep students actively involved.
Whether you use slides, a whiteboard, or a document camera, your visuals should support what you are saying. Aim for simplicity: one idea per slide, minimal text, and clear visuals or diagrams. Talk your students through the image or point rather than reading text aloud.
Even well-prepared presentations may take an unexpected turn. Perhaps a concept is not landing or the energy in the room changes. When that happens, pause and adapt. Try rephrasing an explanation, asking students what is unclear, or shifting to a quick think-pair-share. Flexibility demonstrates responsiveness and keeps the focus on learning rather than perfection.
Changing your tone, pacing, or physical position in the room can signal shifts in emphasis and keep students’ attention. A brief story, real-world application, or surprising fact can also re-energize the room and create memorable moments tied to your content.
Don’t let good discussions trail off without closure. Wrap up by highlighting key themes that emerged, or ask students to write down one thing they’re taking with them. Returning to student comments in later classes can also show that their contributions matter and have a lasting impact on the course.
At the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), we’re here to support instructors in building discussion-based practices that are engaging, flexible, and responsive to the students in the room. Whether you’re refining your approach to seminar discussions or looking for small ways to increase participation in a lecture, we can help.