Class discussions offer many pedagogical benefits, including building community and offering faculty the chance to informally assess student learning. These class discussions can take many forms, including structured, semi-structured, or informal discussion sessions. When planning a class discussion, it is helpful to have a clearly defined goal for the session. In addition to establishing a goal, faculty should consider what preparation students need in advance of a discussion and how learning can be evaluated after the discussion.
Last Reviewed
March 1, 2026
First Published
January 5, 2023
Why Use This Strategy
- Class discussions can be a highly effective means of delivering content and promoting retention, because students are actively engaged in the learning process. Research shows that active learning improves recall, increases students’ positive attitudes toward learning, and influences a student’s decision to stay enrolled (Millis, 2012).
- Class discussion creates the presence of a strong classroom community that enhances learning and retention (Ramnanan, et al, 2017).
- Ramnanan, C. J., & Pound, L. D. (2017). Advances in medical education and practice: Student perceptions of the flipped classroom. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 8, 63–73. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S109037
Teaching Tips
- Set the class tone for productive discussions by including discussion guidelines in your syllabus or by having students write class guidelines.
- Prepare for the discussion by establishing a clear goal, selecting a discussion model (formal, structured, informal, etc.) and assigning any needed pre-discussion materials to the class.
- Determine how you will assess student learning during the discussion to evaluate its efficacy as a learning tool.
- Consider what strategies for leading discussions align with your teaching style and what techniques to engage students in discussions may be worth considering.
- Start small: you can incorporate one discussion linked to one learning objective and then work on building more discussion types into your courses.
Resources
- Using Class Discussion Questions, University of Michigan CRLT
- Types of Class Discussions, Cult of Pedagogy
- Saying the Right Thing: How to Prepare Learners for Difficult Conversations. TLC Webinar. Recorded February 2023.
- Start Talking: A handbook for engaging difficult dialogues in Higher Education. Kay Landis, University of Alaska Anchorage.
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