Method of Group discussion conduction

Planning a group discussion

        Institutions require to plan in advance before conducting a Group Discussion. The number of members can be six to ten. It is of prime importance that the atmosphere is pleasant before the session begins. The individual presiding over the group discussion session must create a friendly atmosphere in which participants feel free to exchange . their views. It must be ensured that all participants get an equal opportunity to contribute to the Group discussion and that no individual tries to dominate the other group members. The ideas and ideologies of the participants must be 'respected. The environment should be free from bias. Free flow of communication must be encouraged among every participant. 

Group discussion

The Group Discussion is conducted as follows: 

• The group mainly comprises six to ten members, without a leader. For academic purposes. the group may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution to the given problem or it may be given a particular topic to be discussed. The group must be seated in a way that every member present can see one another freely.
• The group discussion session is usually of 15 to 20 minutes duration. At times, two to three minutes are given for jotting down your thoughts on a piece of paper.
•  Selecting a group discussion topic is done by investing a considerable amount of time and effort. 
• To ensure balance in the overall group discussion event, a person is appointed as .Moderator (in classroom the teacher can be the moderator) Who has to perform the task of conducting group discussion smoothly.
• Summarizing -after 20 minutes panel is asked to stop group discussion and then each participant is asked to summarize the group discussion. 
• While summarizing one should not raise new point, summary should be brief, reflecting one’s effective listening, avoid focusing on only one aspect of group discussion.
• Aft'er summarizing group discussion comes to an end.

Tips for participating in Group discussion

For being effective in group discussion one should:

• Maintain Eye Contact While Speaking

               Do not just look at the evaluates. Maintain eye~to-eye contact with all the group members while speaking. 

• Initiate the Group Discussion

               Initiating the Group Discussion can make a big plus point for you. But remember; take the initiation only if you understood the group discussion point, and only if you have proper knowledge and awareness of the topic. Speaking without proper knowledge .can create a bad impression about you.

•  Allow Other participants to speak

                Do not try to interrupt someone while speaking. Even if you do not agree with their points . or thoughts, do not try to grab the chance to Speak. Instead, you can take notes while they are speaking, and raise the point and clear it out during your turn.

•  Speak Clearly

               You should speak loudly, still politely and clearly, so that you can be heard by everyone. Try to use simple words that can be understood by everyone. Do not try to put heavy ' vocabulary, thinking that it can be a big plus. Group discussion is not to evaluate your language proficiency; rather it is to evaluate your communication skills, where it is necessary to, be understood by everyone.

               Even if you do not like someone’s point, or if someone’s point hurt you, try to express yourself calmly and politely, instead of being aggressive.

•  Don’t Deviate from the Topic

            Do not try to bring points that are irrelevant to topic. Even by chance someone tries to distract the team from the topic; it is a good move for you to take the initiative to bring the subject back to the topic.

• Positive attitude 

            Speak confidently. Don't try to dominate other participants. Maintain positive body language.

• Speak sensibly 

            Go not speak too much, just to add time to your speaking duration. It is not about how long you speak, it is about how sensibly you speak. Though you speak for less time, it should be of sensible and relevant, and should try to give an aim to'the topic.

• Be a Good Listener

             Pay attention while other. members are speaking. This. makes you involve in the group 9 positively, and it brings a coherent' discussion. 

•   No Need of Statistics 

         The discussion is about how much you are aware of the topic. You do not need to come up with exact figures and numbers. As you have very limited'time, just be precise and try to convey your thoughts in a short and simple-language. 

•  Formal dressing: 

        You should always attend a group discussion in a formal wear.,No funny and fancy dressing. It is just like a personal interview.

Guidelines to initiate Group discussion and make it successes 

• Using a Quotation -Start group discussion by using a famous quote
• Facts, figures and Statistics use real life facts, figures as Well as current statistics e.g. our population clocks indicates 33 birth per minutes leading to 2000 an hour Which in turn goes to 48,000 births a day. 
• Asking a Question. to promote the flow Of ideas. e.g what is your View about it? 0
• General Statement-for e.g.in a topic like should there be weekly tests for students? Rather starting with yes or no, start with 'Let's discuss its practical possibility'
•  Short Story -A short story or fable can be effective enough to mum. group discussion 
•  Definition- defining an important word In topic could be effective way to Initiate

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