Guidelines for discussion can help promote and organize productive conversations among students by building a sense of community and setting clear expectations and boundaries. Working with your students to establish guidelines cooperatively encourages them to consider each guideline’s purpose and gives them a greater investment in abiding by the guidelines, thus accepting part of the responsibility for the section’s quality.
When establishing section guidelines, clearly distinguish between the course policies and discussion guidelines when introducing section expectations. The purpose of course policies is to define course requirements, procedures, and penalties for absences or late work.
Discussion guidelines are established to facilitate discussions. They ensure that the class environment is respectful and that everyone has an opportunity to participate. More specifically, discussion guidelines have these functions:
- Encourage students to work collaboratively in developing a respectful environment.
- Give students a stake in abiding by the agreed-upon guidelines.
- Establish a process of group participation rather than instructor-led lecture.
- Create an atmosphere in which all students feel free to participate.
- Remind students of the need for respect, openness, and sensitivity.
- Establish the tone for the section by encouraging group interaction and feedback.
- Establish the discussion section as a responsibility of both the student and the GSI.
Before you create discussion guidelines, explain their purpose and the reason you have chosen to create them as a group rather than simply stipulating them yourself.
https://gsi.berkeley.edu/gsi-guide-contents/discussion-intro/discussion-guidelines/ →
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