Discussion Idea

This is an example taken from a class at UT Arlington.

My discussion idea uses an example I obtained from "Liberating Structures", it's a relatively short discussion that ends up involving the whole class simultaneously at the end. The class I'm using this for is Texas History to 1836, which is probably my strongest subject.

The question: "What group of people in the decades at the end of the 18th century, and immediately after the dawn of the 19th century had the most influence on modern Texas, the Native Americans, the Spanish settlers, the Mexican citizens, or Anglo settlers?

First Step: The class considers the question and writes down their answers individually.

Second Step: Then they their answers are presented with a partner, in groups of two.

Third Step: Those groups of two are then joined with others to form groups of four where the process of sharing answers, and asking questions is repeated.

Final Step: After this is complete, the whole class gathers again, and the instructor asks for examples of the answers that the students discussed.

I would allow about 6 or 7 minutes per each step, probably about half an hour total. This is an effective way for students to have time to think individually, then in small groups where some may be more comfortable. As they listen to other students answers, they also might consider how their own answers might be modified. I would expect the answers that the students choose to be across the board, as each one of those groups of people could be argued as most influential in Texas history. Stimulating more critical thinking would be the goal of this idea, and I like this format.