Panel discussion
is an important teaching technique which can be employed by a teacher in
classroom situations for educational purposes. A lot of research has been
undertaken from time to time in making this innovative technique of teaching,
scientific, interesting and effective. It is important that the practicing
teachers and teacher trainees should know about the latest methods of teaching
so that their proper use during classroom teaching can result in desired
behavioural changes in the student .
Definition:
Panel Discussion
technique was or iginated by Harry.A.Overstreet in 1929.
Panel
Discussion is a discussion in which few persons ( the panel) carry on
conversation in front of the audience. At the end of the discussion audience
also participates. The audience put important questions and the experts answers
them and clarify the points
From our point
of view, Panel discussion is a discussion that is brought by some person (the
panel) in front of the audience. Some person (the panel) bring a topic that
will be talked in the discussion. In the end of the discussion, the panel gives
the audience chances to ask question. It is important for the panel to answer
the question, it can make the audience understand with the material and clarify
the point.
Purpose of the panel discussion is to reproduce the features of a small discussion
group for the benefit of a larger group.
Objectives of panel discussion :
·
To provide
information and new facts.
·
To analyze a
problem from different angles
·
To identify the values
·
To organize for
mental recreation
Types of panel discussion :
1. public panel discussions
2. educational
panel discussions
Public panel discussion,
These are
organized for common men problems.
Objectives:
·
To provide
factual information regarding current problems
·
To determine
social values
·
To recreate the
common men E.g. annual budget, educated unemployment , increase in price of
things.
Educational panel discussions,
- Used in educational institutions to provide
factual & conceptual knowledge and clarification of certain theories
and principles.
- Some times these are organized to find out the
solutions of certain problems
Objectives of
educational panel discussions ;
·
To provide
factual information and conceptual knowledge
·
To give
awareness of theories and principles
·
To provide
solution of certain problems
Procedure of panel discussion
Types of members in panel discussion are,
1. Instructur.
·
Instructur
plays most important role in panel discussion
·
Plans
how,where, when panel discussion will be organized
·
Prepares the
schedule for panel discussion
·
Sometimes
rehearsal is also planned
- Moderator
·
Moderator keeps
the discussion on the theme and encourages interaction among members.
·
Summarizes
& highlights the points.
·
Should have
mastery on the theme or problem of the discussion.
- Panelists
·
There are 4 –
10 panelists in the discussion
·
Members sits in
a semi circle shape in front of the audience
·
The moderator
sits in the middle of the panelists
·
All panelists
must have mastery of the subject matter.
- Audience
·
Audience are
allowed to put question and seek clarification.
·
They can
present their point of view and their experiences regarding the theme.
·
The panelists
answers
·
In some
situations moderator also tries to answer the question.
At the end of discussion,
« moderator summarizes the discussions and presents his point of view.
« He expresses thanks to panelists and audience.
Characteristics of panel discussion
- Used in university & college level to
organize teaching at reflective level.
- Develops the ability of problem solving Helps
to understand nature, problem or theme of discussion.
- Develops ability of presentation of theme and
giving their point of view logically.
- Develops right type of attitude and ability to
tolerate anti- ideas of others Helps in creative thinking.
- Develops manners of putting Qn.s &
answering them.
Advantages of panel discussion
- Encourages social learning Higher cognitive
and affective objectives are achieved
- Used to
develop ability of problem solving and logical thinking
- Develops capacity to respect others ideas and
feelings & ability to tolerate.
- It provides opportunities of assimilation of
theme and content.
Topic used in panel discussion
- Education as an instrument of social change.
- Student teaching in teacher education
programme.
- Population education.
- Scope of educational technology in our country
- Examination reform
Limitations of panel discussion
- There are chances to deviate from the theme of
discussion
- Some members may dominate
- There is possibility to split the group into
two subgroups ( for & against)
- If panelist belong to different groups, it may
not create appropriate learning situation
How to organize effective panel
discussions
- There should be a rehearsal before actual
panel discussions
- The moderator should be a matured person and
should have the full understanding of theme / problem & should have
full control over the situation.
- The seating arrangement should be such that
every one should be of equal distance & should observe each other.
- Moderator should encourage constructive
discussion among panelists and audience