Improving Student Communication in Small Groups

This workshop is designed to enhance the effectiveness of small-group communication in classrooms. It emphasizes the importance of structured discussions to foster deeper student engagement, collaboration, and understanding of diverse perspectives. Participants will explore theories related to collaborative learning, such as Social Constructivism and Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory. Practical applications including explicit instruction of discussion norms, structured dialogue techniques (e.g., Socratic Seminar, Fishbowl, and the 3-2-1 strategy), and meaningful assignment of group roles are covered. The workshop culminates in strategies for effective student assessment and accountability in small-group settings.

• Limited student participation and unequal communication in classroom discussions.
  
  
• Ineffective collaboration and communication skills among students in group settings.
  
  
• Lack of structured routines and clear accountability in small-group activities.
  

1. Discussion Techniques: Participants will learn how to facilitate structured discussions using strategies such as Socratic Seminar, Fishbowl, and 3-2-1 to encourage active participation and deeper engagement among students.
   
   
2. Explicit Teaching of Norms: Educators will gain strategies to explicitly teach and reinforce effective communication skills, including active listening, questioning techniques, and maintaining group norms to enhance student interactions and responsibility.
   
   
3. Effective Group Structuring: Participants will develop skills for assigning meaningful roles within groups to ensure clear accountability, balanced workloads, improved communication, and reduced conflict, alongside employing effective assessment techniques including peer/self-assessment and rubrics.