What are some best practices to design and structure group discussions for different purposes and audiences?

Group discussions can be a powerful way to engage learners, share ideas, and foster collaboration. But how do you design and structure them effectively for different purposes and audiences? Here are some best practices to consider before, during, and after a group discussion.

1 Define the goals and outcomes

Before you start a group discussion, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. Do you want to explore a topic, solve a problem, generate feedback, or create something? What are the learning objectives and success criteria for the discussion? How will you assess the participants' understanding and performance? Having a clear purpose and expectations will help you plan the discussion and communicate it to the participants.

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Kathryn (Tina) Alessandria
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I find it helpful to set clear ground rules and expectations for participation in the group and to spend time building rapport among group members. It can make the difference between people viewing themselves as a gathering of individuals who operate from focusing on their own wants and needs vs. identifying as part of a group who are collaborating on a common goal. Using “rounds” early in the group to ensure all members of the group have a voice and an opportunity to connect is a great way to do this. Having questions where all members are expected to respond helps set norms and expectations that everyone’s voice in the group matters.

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2 Choose the format and size

Depending on your goals and outcomes, you may want to choose a different format and size for your group discussion. For example, you may use a whole-class discussion, a small-group discussion, a fishbowl discussion, a jigsaw discussion, or a debate. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider the topic, the time, the resources, and the audience. You also need to decide how many participants will be in each group and how they will be assigned or selected. Ideally, you want to create groups that are diverse, balanced, and cohesive.

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3 Prepare the materials and instructions

To facilitate a smooth and productive group discussion, you need to prepare the materials and instructions in advance. You may need to provide some background information, prompts, questions, guidelines, or rubrics for the discussion. You may also need to prepare some tools or platforms for the participants to communicate, collaborate, and share their work. For example, you may use a chat, a forum, a video call, a document, a presentation, or a whiteboard. Make sure that the materials and instructions are clear, relevant, and accessible for the participants.

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4 Monitor and support the discussion

During the group discussion, your role is to monitor and support the participants, not to dominate or interrupt them. You may want to observe how they interact, listen, contribute, and respect each other. You may also want to provide some feedback, guidance, or encouragement when needed. You may ask some probing or clarifying questions, challenge some assumptions or opinions, or summarize some key points or themes. However, you should also allow some space and autonomy for the participants to explore and learn from each other.

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Kim Shiller

Programmes Director at Psychosynthesis Trust
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In a group discussion, I think the facilitator needs to monitor their input (i.e. not dominate) a good principle is to ensure that the facilitator voice is 20% or less of the whole

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5 Debrief and evaluate the discussion

After the group discussion, you need to debrief and evaluate the discussion with the participants. You may want to invite them to reflect on their experience, share their insights, or ask their questions. You may also want to highlight some achievements, challenges, or areas for improvement. You may use some methods or tools to collect and analyze some data or evidence from the discussion. For example, you may use a survey, a quiz, a portfolio, a peer review, or a self-assessment. You may also want to provide some feedback, recognition, or follow-up for the participants.

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6 Review and improve your practice

Finally, you need to review and improve your own practice as a facilitator of group discussions. You may want to ask yourself some questions, such as: What worked well and what did not? What did you learn and what did you miss? What can you do better next time? You may also want to seek some feedback or suggestions from the participants or other facilitators. You may also want to consult some resources or experts to learn more about effective group discussion design and structure.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some best practices to design and structure group discussions for different purposes and audiences?

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1 Define the goals and outcomes

2 Choose the format and size

3 Prepare the materials and instructions

4 Monitor and support the discussion

5 Debrief and evaluate the discussion

6 Review and improve your practice

7 Here’s what else to consider

Group Work

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