Thinking about Discussion

In this section you can see learners engaged in activities that promote mathematical discussion and explore your role in managing discussion with your own learners.

Introduction
Discussion is an excellent way for learners to rehearse their understanding and to learn from each other. Teachers often say that they understand mathematics better when they start explaining it, and the same is true for learners, which is one of the many reasons why discussion and collaboration are at the heart of these approaches.

Review
Throughout this section you were invited to consider ways in which you might use discussion in your own teaching.

A possible starting point is to try one of the activities that help promote discussion. You will find these in the 'Using the materials' section.

We suggest that you also look at the following sections:
* 'Thinking about questioning' to explore further how questioning can help promote and maintain mathematical discussion;
* 'Thinking about assessment' to explore the assessment opportunities that mathematical discussion offers.

You might also like to look at the 'Planning learning' section of this resource, where you will find video sequences of whole sessions. We suggest you view these and reflect on how the teachers and trainers featured use discussion with their learners.

Involving learners in active discussion is explored in detail in the book 'Improving learning in mathematics: challenges and strategies'.

In the professional development guide you will find further ideas for developing this aspect of teaching with your colleagues.