When and Where Did I Find It: I found the term guided discussion when re-reading our text, Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: If Not Me Then Who? (Billmeyer & Barton, 1998, pp. 49-50).
What it means: The authors give a very detailed definition of the term: "In guided discussion,the teacher uses questions or teacher-developed study guide materials to direct student thinking. In addition to designing and posing questions, the teacher's role is to encourage student questions about the content and to provide additional information and clarification when needed (Vacca & Vacca, 1993)" (as cited in Billmeyer & Barton, p. 50).
Level of Familiarity: I am very familiar with this concept, but what I find interesting is that even though I would say I have a great deal of experience with this concept, I still have to re-evaluate my ability to use this instructional strategy based on the specific students I am working with in every class as well as considering their level of familiarity (background knowledge) with the information I want them to know well.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes. I do not see how I could be qualified as a teacher of literacy (or a teacher of teachers, teaching literacy) if I do not have a principled understanding of what a guided discussion looks like and the reason why to use such an instructional strategy.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: I certainly think LTED 625 students should know this concept --especially since they noted in their Content Interest Inventories that they wanted to further develop their abilities to engage students in discussion. I think part of knowing how to engage students in a STUDENT-led discussion requires having a detailed understanding of what takes place in a TEACHER-guided discussion and how to help the students take on the "traditional responsibilities" of the teacher.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes. I do not see how I could be qualified as a teacher of literacy (or a teacher of teachers, teaching literacy) if I do not have a principled understanding of what a guided discussion looks like and the reason why to use such an instructional strategy.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...if so WHO and WHY?: I certainly think LTED 625 students should know this concept --especially since they noted in their Content Interest Inventories that they wanted to further develop their abilities to engage students in discussion. I think part of knowing how to engage students in a STUDENT-led discussion requires having a detailed understanding of what takes place in a TEACHER-guided discussion and how to help the students take on the "traditional responsibilities" of the teacher.
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