The Skillful Teacher

participants. Discussion in which participants are given opportuni-
ties to voice concerns, work collaboratively, formulate ideas, express
Preparing Students for Discussion
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disagreement, and solve problems collectively is both a foundation
for democracy and a sign that democracy is taking hold. Without
this kind of constant experience of democratic process, it is hard to
see how people can become citizens in any but the most nominal,
legalistic sense.
To Affirm Students as Co-creators of Knowledge
When students feel themselves to be respected and treated as
equal creators of knowledge, they are much more likely to take the
discussion process seriously. Having your views attended to care-
fully, and witnessing people grant your ideas public credibility, is
a powerful experience for students who have learned to think of
themselves as failures or impostors. In the best discussions, stu-
dents should feel that their contributions are indispensable. The
feeling should prevail that to lose anyone’s participation would be
a loss to the group as a whole.