Blog Post #1: Discussion in a Democratic Society

One hurdle that all effective teachers must overcome is the art of classroom discussion. This week's reading offers insightful strategies for creating discussion-based classrooms that are “crucibles for democratic processes and mutual growth” (8). To me, this chapter highlighted nine behaviors, or dispositions, that students and teachers need to practice in order to create a democratic classroom environment that is conducive to a productive and insightful discussion. In addition to facilitating discussion, these dispositions could also help promote mindfulness in the classroom, therefore, I think it would be extremely useful to use these ideals as a way to structure expected classroom behavior at the beginning of the year. The dispositions that the article lists as important are “hospitality, participation, mindfulness, humility, mutuality, deliberation, appreciation, hope, and autonomy” (8).

It is often assumed that high school students already know how to adequately participate in classroom discussion. However, as this chapter illustrates there are many complex skills and behaviors that students must obtain in order to effectively engage in meaningful classroom discussion. For me personally one of the most important tools for my own success in classroom discussion is being in a classroom environment that feels supportive and encouraging. There are certainly classes that I have freely participated in discussion and others that were a bit more difficult. As a future teacher I feel it is paramount to create a learning environment that encourages students to share their thoughts or opinions. As stated in the article, classrooms practice discussion not only to help students attain worthy democratic aims, but also because it is enjoyable and thrilling.  I’m not so sure I have ever experienced a discussion so powerful that it was an “educational equivalent of scaling a mountain or shooting dangerous rapids,” but I would love to create a classroom environment that allows students to feel this pumped about discussions.