Discussing Discussions, A Review of "Using Discussion in Classrooms"

Abstract

Introduction:  Discussion is widely recommended as a classroom activity, being mentioned in virtually any curriculum document you might pick up, but research has found that what passes for discussion in many classrooms is little more than teacher dominated recitation - virtually chanting of the catechism. To run worthwhile discussion demands that teachers relinquish some of their control in the classroom, and teachers find this hard to do, fearing a lapse into meandering anecdotal chat. Those of us involved in Philosophy for Children feel that we have a model for discussion that gets the balance right, enabling children to explore the ideas that interest them whilst simultaneously keeping the conversation rigorous.