Purposes of small group discussions

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• Purposes of small group discussions

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Research findings Breaking the mould?

• An early study of AS Science for Public
  Understanding. Key findings
• Missed opportunities for exploring ideas
  about science
• Many lessons seen to be teacher-led
• Few examples of discussion between students
  observed.

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Research findings Valuable lessons

• A study by Ralph Levinson of the discussion of
  issues related to biosciences
• Humanities teachers comfortable with
  discussion but not too concerned about the
  accuracy of the science.
• Science teachers very concerned to get across
  the science and uneasy about discussion.

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Discussion in small groups Making a start

• Establish the ground rules
• Choose a topic that students can relate to
• Provide a structure (with clear roles where
  appropriate)
• Define the outcomes
• Set a (short) time limit
• Minimal teacher interventions procedural, not
  judgemental

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Some established discussion techniques
Snowballs Discuss topic in pairs, then fours,
then eights working towards consensus Jigsaws I
ndividuals work as experts on a section of a
topic and then re-group. Needs advanced planning
but does ensure participation of all. Rainbow
groups Students each given a different colour,
say in a group of 4 they discuss in groups of
same colour, then original groups reassemble.
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Purpose 1 language

• Developing the language needed to analyse and
  develop arguments
• e.g module B1 You and your genes Activity AB1.22
  Gene therapy in the news

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Purpose 2 clarifying knowledge and understanding

• Discussing true/false statements
• e.g module P2 Radiation life Activity AP2.29
  Global warming challenge

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Purpose 3 data explanations

• Discussing possible evidence for claims
• e.g module P1 Earth in the Universe Activity
  AP1.23 What killed off the dinosaurs (based on a
  video) or
• GCSE Science F tier textbook, questions about
  continental drift on page 62 (refer to pages
  60-63)
• Making sense of evidence
• e.g module B3 Life on Earth Activity AB3.7 Life
  on Mars

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Purpose 4 exploring issues

• Issues with an ethical dimension
• e.g module B1 You and your genes Activity
  AB1.21 Embryo selection what should be
  allowed?
• Issues with a technical and economic dimension
• e.g module C2 Material choices
• Activity C2.16 Can it be done? Should it be done?
• Gaining insight into other viewpoints

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Purpose 5 making decisions

• Developing policy arguments based on
  information and evidence
• e.g module B2 Keeping healthy Activity AB2.11 Is
  it worth it?
• See module P3 Radioactive materials Activity
  AP3.28 What was said?

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Student dispositions

• Understand, appreciate or be moved by range of
  opinions other than ones own
• Accept criticism
• Reasonableness
• Responsiveness
• Respect for the members of the group
• Freedom to offer sincerely-held opinions