Flex Mod Small Group Discussion with the Harkness Style of Discussion

For the first time, Mr. Krause, Mr. Rodal, and Ms. Krause (Mrs. Schartner) implemented aspects of the Harkness Style of discussion.  While we didn't have a large wooden table, we were able to have comfortable dialogue among a group of students ranging in number from 10 to 16.

Students focused their discussion on the interactions of the American Government with Native Americans.  Students needed to complete the discussion questions prior to small group.  The students utilized their Google Doc on their personal mobile device or on a class provided iPad.  In addition, main points of the discussion were written down by the students on a paper version.

The discussion questions completed during the conversation.  The TOR is the "Teacher of Record" and this completed sheet is turned into that teacher.

Our classroom set up.  Students used personal mobile devices or classroom iPads to access their Google Document prepared prior to the discussion time.

I was responsible for drawing the conversation path.  Each line represents a speaking opportunity from a student.  The lines are connected from person to person as they spoke.  We created a template that was created for each class.  Once students sat in a specific spot, students wrote their name prior to class.

To be fair, this was the first attempt by the teacher.  The teacher is in the top right corner with all of the lines. 

The very next mod, after reviewing the above discussion diagram, students in the next mod conducted this conversation.  The only change in this discussion would have been more teacher directed dialogue for question number 3.

Overall, having the flex mod "small group" classes provides a tremendous opportunity for a small number of students to discuss topics in an in-depth and engaging way.

Small Group Leadership & Discussion In The Flex Mod Schedule

Almost all courses in the flex mod schedule have a small group connected with it that meets one to two times a week.  These small group discussions will include one instructor and 13-15 students.  Most small groups meet for one mod which is thirty minutes.

What should the learning environment look like in a small group setting?
Face to face conversation in a comfortable and safe atmosphere is first and foremost.  "Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding" is a documentary about a school that focuses on small group discussion as an integral aspect of learning.

Specifically, this part of the video demonstrates the Harkness-Style Roundtable Discussion.  As is shown in the video, the instructor describes the step by step process to developing a "great conversation" from day one.
To make the students feel as comfortable and safe as possible to be able to take risks that will create a good conversation, the instructor...

• Asks, "What are the values implicit in sitting around this large, wooden, oval table?  Now, every classroom won't have that, but how can that type of environment be created in a classroom?  
• Students respond with respect, listening to each other, and being courteous.
• Creates the right geography in the classroom. She asks, "Can you all see each other? Can you make eye contact with your classmates?" If the students can't see each other, they adjust their chairs so that they can.
• Always tells the students, "Check your ego at the door."  "Be willing to take risks, just have fun, and throw out ideas."  She adds, "if you throw something else out and it's not fully formed, that's great because somebody else can jump in and build on an idea."
• Also starts with a reflective moment, a moment of silence, or a moment of writing.

While all educators may not feel comfortable with all of this at first, finding a comfortable, inviting atmosphere to conversation will create a tremendously, positive learning environment.

It is important to have a set of guidelines for the conversation. Watch how she describes one of the "discussion styles".  There are three roles students will fill during the discussion.

• Scribe role
• Map role
• A student mapping who is talking
• Circles don't lie

• Moderator role

Finally, don't forget a key aspect to concluding the discussion.  Lastly, keep the conversation maps to see the progress of the small group.

Of course, all of this is NOT easy.  However, teachers have noticed that students will talk with them at the end of the small group session and say, "I didn't get to say everything I wanted to." That's where technology can continue the discussion.  Tools that can assist with this include

• Google Classroom
• Today's Meet
• Edmodo
• Blogs
• Twitter

How does this look in other subject areas?

Mathematics

Harkness History