Grad Student Discussion Groups

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Has anyone tried to lead a discussion group before? How did you handle it?

I had to be co-leader of a discussion group today and it was a complete disaster, at least for me. Most of the time the other woman just would not shut up and let me get a question in for the group. When she did let me ask something, she'd then just pick up and change the subject almost as soon as any sort of answer was offered. She decided on the order of the essays without consulting me, then changed it mid-stream so I had to scramble to change gears during the discussion. Then, of course, there were a couple of times when the group didn't seem to understand my question and I had trouble re-stating it in a way they could understand. Like I said, a disaster.

We were supposed to be making sure the group understood several essays they were supposed to have read, but the other woman kept leading them into critiques of the essays without making sure they actually understood the authors' arguments. The few times I managed to get in a specific question about the arguments, they didn't seem to understand the material but still wanted to be allowed to critique it. I really don't get that.

aw, that stinks. i am sure your teacher noticed the domineering other partner. i, too, had to co-lead a discussion of a book with my group. only one person attempted to answer one or two of my questions. i got an a, but it was kind of crappy...

i usually just delve into my own answers and analysis. i try to do more than one analysis if possible, to give more perspectives and greater depth. teachers like that. and, it makes the project more interesting, usually. it also takes up more time in the presentation. it always helps if you are more interested in the topic. i guess, just prepare a lot of info, and make like you're making eye contact. lol.

i was that domineering b*tch once. chalking it up to arrogance, over-relaxed-ness, and being 12.