Product Description

Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of the landmark book Discussion as a Way of Teaching shows how to plan, conduct, and assess classroom discussions. Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill suggest exercises for starting discussions, strategies for maintaining their momentum, and ways to elicit diverse views and voices. The book also includes new exercises and material on the intersections between discussion and the encouragement of democracy in the classroom. This revised edition expands on the original and contains information on adapting discussion methods in online teaching, on using discussion to enhance democratic participation, and on the theoretical foundations for the discussion exercises described in the book.   

Throughout the book, Brookfield and Preskill clearly show how discussion can enliven classrooms, and they outline practical methods for ensuring that students will come to class prepared to discuss a topic. They also explain how to balance the voices of students and teachers, while still preserving the moral, political, and pedagogic integrity of discussion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120776 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780787978082
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

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

From the Inside Flap
Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of the landmark book Discussion as a Way of Teaching shows how to plan, conduct, and assess classroom discussions. Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill suggest exercises for starting discussions, strategies for maintaining their momentum, and ways to elicit diverse views and voices. The book also includes new exercises and material on the intersections between discussion and the encouragement of democracy in the classroom. This revised edition expands on the original and contains information on adapting discussion methods in online teaching, on using discussion to enhance democratic participation, and on the theoretical foundations for the discussion exercises described in the book.

Throughout the book, Brookfield and Preskill clearly show how discussion can enliven classrooms, and they outline practical methods for ensuring that students will come to class prepared to discuss a topic. They also explain how to balance the voices of students and teachers, while still preserving the moral, political, and pedagogic integrity of discussion.

Written for teachers, trainers, faculty administrators, professional developers, facilitators, and other educational leaders, Discussion as a Way of Teaching is a comprehensive volume that offers step-by-step guidance for everything from preparing students to participate in discussion to evaluating its meaning and effect. The chapters in this practical resource contain a wealth of helpful techniques, suggestions, and applications that can be adapted to a wide variety of discussion settings.

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Read
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.

Great guide for new teachers
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.

Very useful book!
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.