DR. MAHESWARI JAIKUMARmaheswarijaikumar2103@gmail.com

DEFINITION

• Group Discussion is a cooperative problem solving activity, which seeks a consensus regarding the solution of a problem.

members >6 to <20

• Group Discussion can be defined as three or more participants who have an agreed topic to discuss and share their views in all the aspects and submit / present their views in the form of report to bigger gathering.

• A well conducted group discussion with adequate resources is highly effective in reaching decisions based on the ideas of all the members.

• It is effective in changing the attitude and behaviour of students.

GROUP DISCUSSION

PURPOSES• It provides an opportunity for

sharing information among the members of the group.

• Members get an opportunity to attend group consortium to gain and share knowledge necessary to achieve specific educational objectives.

• It develops the skills of group development, group cohesiveness and group socialization among group members under the leadership of teacher.

• A variety of information may be learned in a short time, when a number of people in a group share their own experience and knowledge with others.

• Helps in sharing and clarifying information among the members of the group.

• To assist the students to develop belief regarding legal and controversial issues as in discussion : pros and cons of an opinion is critically analysed by the group members.

TECHNIQUE

TECHNIQUE• Ideas or views expressed by

the group members should be clear and concise.

• The members have to listen to each other, as to what is discussed among them.

• There should not be any interruption when the member of the group is discussing or speaking.

• Each member of the group should accept the criticism gracefully, if by a member is done.

• The group discussion should reach to a conclusion.

• In group discussion, the relevant remarks should be made by it's members during discussion.

Group discussion technique involves :

1. proper planning of topic with objectives and guidelines, proper planning of the environment in which discussion is arranged.

2. Adequate preparation of students in relation to topic to be discussed

is mandatory for the sucess of group discussion.

3. Role of each member of group, leader of group and role of teacher need to be clarified.

4. Teacher opens the discussion session with a brief introduction of topic to be discussed with objectives and guidelines.

5. Students are invited to express their ideas or view points.

6. During discussion, teacher assumes the role of facilitator.

7. One of the student among the group records the proceedings.

8. Teacher controls the group discussion by discouraging over talkative students and uninvolving the passive students in discussion.

9. The teacher clarifies the difficult statements to avoid

misinterpretation and confusion the process of discussion.

10. The teacher re directs the course of discussion, if the discussion is deviated from the pre determined objectives or if wasting time.

11. Teacher guides the students in relation to pros and cons of

the view points and after analysing the view points, a consensus

is reached.

• Once group discussion is complete, a concluding note in the form of summary of the discussion, performance of the students and a few words of appreciation to encourage the students to participate in the forthcomming discussion is written by the teacher.

PROCESS

ADVANTAGES• Each group member actively

participates in achieving the educational objectives.

• It boost's the self esteem and moralee of students when their view points are accepted and given due regard.

• It helps the student to develop a problem solving approach while working in a group.

• It also offers group members an opportunity to express their viewpoints and ideas in full freedom.

• Individuals in the group develop social skills and feelings of team activity.

ADVANTAGES

GROUP DISCUSSION

DISADVANTAGES• Group discussions are generally

time consuming and some and are usually not completed in the scheduled time.

• Some members in the group may dominate and some may be only passive listerners.

• Group discussion may not be very effective method for large groups.

• Equal participation of group members may not be possible.

• Adequate preparation is required by each member to have a fruitful discussion; else the discussion may remain polarized.

THANK YOU