Town Meeting  (Stimulating Class Discussion)

OVERVIEW

This discussion format is well suited to large classes. By creating an atmosphere akin to a town meeting, the entire class can become involved in discussion.

PROCEDURE

1.  Select an interesting topic or case problem concerning your subject matter. Briefly present the topic or problem as objectively as possible, giving background information and an overview of different viewpoints. If you wish, provide any documents that might illuminate the topic or problem.
2.  Point out that you would like to obtain the class's own views on the matter. Instead of calling on students from the front of the room, explain that you will be following a format entitled, “call on the next speaker.” Whenever someone is finished speaking, that person should look around the room and call on somebody else who also wishes to speak (as indicated by a raised hand).
3.  Urge students to keep their remarks brief so that many others can participate in the town meeting. Establish a time limit, if you wish, for the length of a speaker's turn. Direct students to call on someone who has not participated previously before choosing someone who already has taken a turn.
4.  Continue the discussion as long as it seems of value.

VARIATIONS

1.  Organize the meeting into a debate. Invite students to sit on different sides of the room, corresponding to their own positions on the controversy. Follow the call-on-the-next-speaker format, with the instruction that the next speaker must have an opposing point of view.  Encourage students to move to a different side of the room if their views are swayed by the debate.
2.  Begin the town meeting with a panel discussion. Have the panelists present their own views and then call on speakers from the audience.

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