Discussion Method of Teaching in (TVET), Meaning, and More

Meaning of  Discussion Method

This type of teaching Method is also called the Socratic Method. It involves a conversation or debate between the students about a particular topic or content under review.

In the discussion teaching method in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the teacher moderates the conversation or debate between the students to get their viewpoints on the topic or contents under review.

The discussion Method in TVET is student-centered because the students dominate the discussion and become active participants in the lesson.

 The method allows the students to explore contents and topics at their disposal to acquire knowledge, attitudes, and abilities from themselves, and not from the teacher or any other person.

When using the discussion method of instruction the group size should be limited to 5-10 students as the method is not appropriate for a large number of students like the lecture methods except it is skillfully used.

In this type of Teaching Method, the students take over the topic or contents under review from the teacher.   The discussion teaching methods can take the form of a debate, assignment, or topic under consideration.

For the methods to be effective, the students should be given the topic or the contents beforehand, so that students can have the opportunity to gather relevant information and ask questions about the topic before the discussion.

For the discussion teaching methods to be effective the teacher must be a good moderator, ask relevant questions, and give the topic under discussion to the students to research the topic.

Refers to: Criteria for the Selection of Teaching Methods

Examples of Discussion Methods

The method can be used in the classroom or the laboratory for displaying or exhibiting a particular lesson while the students watch. It involves showing the students the correct use of apparatus, instruments, farm tools, and techniques, illustrating piratical lessons to students.  

1. In chemistry, the students can be taught using the discussion methods in teaching titration of acid-based
2. In physics, the methods can be used in teaching students optics, electricity, and magnetism experiments.
3. The demonstration method can be used in the secretariat study on how to use and handle various office equipment and the drilling of shorthand outlines to students. 
4. In agriculture, discussion can be used to teach practice examples of how to cultivate yam, cassava, potatoes, and pepper as well as how to make ridge, heap, and casting of farm animals.
5. Discussion can be used in teaching typing proficiency, graphics design, installation of software, how to use the internet and more can be demonstrated to the students.
6.  In apprenticeship, discussion methods can be used in teaching students how to sew clothes, weaving baskets, barbing hair, and mold pots or images. These types of trade can be demonstrated to the students during practical lessons.

Steps involved in the discussion method  of teaching

The following steps should be used as a guide while using the discussion methods

1. The teacher should give the students the topic or the contents beforehand,
2. The topic to be discussed should be at the level of the learner,
3. The teacher’s questions should not be too difficult for the learner.
4. The topics for discussion should not exceed the learner’s level 
5.  The teacher should not allow extroverted students to dominate the topic under discussion.
6. avoid irrelevant questions and comments
7. treat relevant comments gracefully.
8. don’t allow students to use vague language and questions.
9. the teacher should summarize frequently and emphasize silent points for better understanding. 
10.  discussant should be able to break down the whole topic under discussion into smaller fractions.

Refer to: Concept of the Methods of Teaching in TVET.     

Characteristics of the Discussion Method

The characteristics of the Discussion Method are:

1. the method is learning by doing 
2. It is students centered
3. it is suitable for a small number of students
4. It is an experiential method of Learning
5. In the discussion method Knowledge arises within the students and not from any external source.
6. The students take the central stage of discussion over the subject from various points of view
7. The teacher serves as a moderator.

Merit /Advantages of the Discussion  Method

The merit /advantages of the discussion teaching method in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are stated below:

1. the methods promote mutual learning in the classroom as both the teacher and the students through interactions can learn from each other.
2. the discussion teaching method helps the teacher to know the potential of each student.
3. the discussion teaching method helps students to develop critical thinking skills.
4. it helps to promote good communication skills as students frequently express themselves.
5. it helps students to develop good problem-solving skills as they gather knowledge about the problem under review.
6. It is a good method for sustaining students’ interest in the classroom
7. it promotes students’ active participation in the lesson, unlike the lecture method
8. the discussion teaching method leads to a high degree of retention of what is been learned in the classroom
9. it helps to achieve instructional objectives
10. the methods help to builds good interpersonal relationship skills between students that involved in the discussion.
11. The discussion method is suitable for secondary and higher institution students.

Read also:  Project Teaching Methods

Demerits / Disadvantages of the Discussion Method

The demerits / Disadvantages of this teaching method in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are stated below.

1. the method is time-consuming.
2. continuous usage of this teaching method will lead to little achievement on the part of the teacher as the teacher may not be able to cover the course outline or scheme of work within the limited time.
3. the method is atomistic (i.e. it does not involve a whole class of students as only a few students with outstanding intellectual abilities are involved in the discussion).
4. it may lead to poor classroom management if it is well handled.
5. In the discussion method, Students who don’t have good knowledge of the topics or content to be discus may suddenly lose interest in the lesson.
6. the method is not suitable for lower primary school students as they are not mature enough to research on a topic.