What is Small Group Discussion? Discuss the advantages and limitations of small group discussion.

by - March 23, 2023

What is Small Group Discussion? Discuss the advantages and limitations of small group discussion.

Merits and demerits of Small Group Discussion. 




Small Group Discussion - Concept :-

One type of structured group discussion is the selected group discussion or panel discussion. A purposefully selected group of people is called a panel. This selective group discussion is the mass collaborative social process inherent in traditional classroom instruction in education. Currently, this panel is seen discussing various problems of public life on television and Radio. Today, such discussions are very popular in people's lives and education. 

A discussion organized on one topic only is called a selected group discussion or small group discussion. These group discussions are very effective in organizing discussions on the topic when a topic is of a very complex nature or controversial. This discussion can be between teachers and students in the education system. 


Merits / advantages of Small Group Discussion :-

The importance or advantages of small group discussion are –

1. Participating in the panel increases the thinking power and reasoning power of the students.

2. Students learn to actively participate in interactive discussions.

3. To collect data by expanding the scope of the content -
(a) Learns to read other books.
(b) learns to give importance to educational aspects within the newspaper.
(c) Learns to accept advice from experts.

4. Gains analytical knowledge of content.

5. Increases students' confidence.

6. Learns to form decisions from controversial issues.

7. Among non-panel students also -
(a) Increases interest and attention.
(b) learns to analyze the subject.
(c) Can participate in arguments and debates.
(d) Question formulation ability increases.
(e) Learns to consider summaries from discussion.

Demerits / limitations of Small Group Discussion :-


Disadvantages of small group discussion are –

1. Teachers cannot accept discussion on all parts of the subject as a learning process.

2. As it is a specialized learning method, it is suitable for use in particular cases, not universally.

3. It is not practical in classrooms with heterogeneous students. Those who are backward in education show no interest here.

4. Normal classroom discipline is disrupted, which in turn disrupts normal classroom learning.

5. Lots of external topics may enter the classroom. 

6. Only a few students avail and benefit from this.

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