Discussion vs. Dialogue

Topics and Competencies

Introductory

Grade Level

Middle Grades, High School, College/Adult

Subject Area Integration

None

Author(s)

Christy Byrd and Paula McAvoy

Source

Christy Byrd and Paula McAvoy

Date Created/Most Recently Revised

June 2021

Time

20 minutes

Setting

Type and Level of Engagement

Group Work, Low Engagement

Accessibility

Learning Objectives

• Understand the differences between discussion and dialogue

Materials

• None

Instructions

• Individual Quick Write:
  • Imagine that you have been asked to visit a classroom and decide whether a good discussion is happening. What will you look for during your evaluation (think about things that can be observed)?
  • Imagine that you have been asked to visit a group to decide whether a good dialogue is happening. What will you look for (think about things that can be observed)?
• In pairs:
  • Compare your characteristics of discussion with your partner/group. Come up with common a list of characteristics of each.
  • As you discuss, what are the key differences between these two concepts? How would you define each?
• As a large group
  • How do you feel when you are in a dialogue with someone vs. a debate or discussion?
  • What is the purpose of each format?
  • What is the value of each format?

Variations

• Show videos of groups engaging in classroom talk and have students rate whether the group is discussing, debating, or dialoguing basing on the definitions you’ve developed.
  • Clips:
    • Dr. Michael Sandel, Harvard University course on Libertarianism
    • Clip from the documentary Promises
    • Clip from This American Life episode “Kid Politics”
    • Dr. Deborah Ball lesson on even numbers
  • After watching each video clip, individually decide whether you think this is a discussion or a dialogue AND evaluate whether it is a good example or a not great example.
  • When the group is ready, invite each person to share their reasoning.
  • Compare your positions and discuss areas of disagreement. Can you come to consensus?
  • Does this video make you want to add or subtract anything from the common list you created?
• You can include discussion of debate as well
• Metropolitan State University of Denver Handout

Extensions

Assessments

Evidence of Effectiveness

Related Activities

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