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ABSTRACT The discussion session of the basic soils course has been restructured to enhance student interaction and to increase experience in oral and written presentation. The class is organized around three tables, each seating four to six students. The students at a table are given the same quiz, consisting of two open‐ended, essay, or problem‐type questions. Initially, each student prepares his or her written response to both questions. This allows individuals to formulate and express their own thoughts. In the second phase, each group discusses their quiz; thus, individual students enhance their knowledge as the group strives toward a consensus. Finally, the instructor calls on individuals to represent their group with an oral presentation of an answer to each question. This discussion paradigm is effective in giving students experience in written and oral presentation, in promoting active participation in group and class discussions, and in forming study groups and friendships. Serious discussion of the six essay questions gives a clearer understanding of the course material. Also, it is an easy format for new teaching assistants, especially since the essay questions are prepared and reproduced in advance.
Karr et al. (Thu,) studied this question.