Techniques in small group discussion

Usually the major objective of discussion methods is to teach students to think. To achieve this the tutor must achieve a number of subsidiary objectives to get the discussion group going. Discussion methods are among the most difficult teaching techniques in higher education. They require a wide knowledge of the subject matter, an ability to attend to detail while keeping an eye on the overall view, an appreciation of different viewpoints, receptivity to new ideas, tolerance and respect for problem students and the maturity to manage a group of students without dominating them.