23. STUDENT FISHBOWL (Discussion, Questioning)
Description: This protocol allows students to share their perspectives on a given topic in a formalized manner.
Application: The Student Fishbowl is used when students’ experiences and ideas can add depth of understanding in a discussion.
Process: Prior to the activity, prepare questions on a handout and ask students to write out answers. Clip these prepared questions and answers and put in a bowl. Ask “Fishbowl” students to sit in a horseshoe formation and the rest of the group, observers, should sit facing toward the open part of the horseshoe. Instruct observers that they are not allowed to speak during the Fishbowl dialogue as their job is to listen. Mention to observers that they will get a chance to talk at the end of the activity. Assign one person to be the facilitator, who will retrieve prepared questions with answers, read them, and direct the student who answered the question to go deeper into the answer. Encourage students to take the conversation where they want to go; there are no wrong answers. Make sure everyone in the Fishbowl who wants to answer the question is allowed to do so in a timely manner. Allow discussion to go on for twenty to twenty-five minutes. During the actual protocol, ask facilitator to draw a Q & A out of the bowl and read both the question and answer. (The student who answered will raise his hand and explain his answer. If more than one answered the same way, he may also add to the discussion.) Repeat the process, pulling questions and answers. At the end of the discussion, invite observers to comment on the Fishbowl but with the understanding that they are not to invalidate or question the students’ contributions to the discussion.
Description: This protocol allows students to share their perspectives on a given topic in a formalized manner.
Application: The Student Fishbowl is used when students’ experiences and ideas can add depth of understanding in a discussion.
Process: Prior to the activity, prepare questions on a handout and ask students to write out answers. Clip these prepared questions and answers and put in a bowl. Ask “Fishbowl” students to sit in a horseshoe formation and the rest of the group, observers, should sit facing toward the open part of the horseshoe. Instruct observers that they are not allowed to speak during the Fishbowl dialogue as their job is to listen. Mention to observers that they will get a chance to talk at the end of the activity. Assign one person to be the facilitator, who will retrieve prepared questions with answers, read them, and direct the student who answered the question to go deeper into the answer. Encourage students to take the conversation where they want to go; there are no wrong answers. Make sure everyone in the Fishbowl who wants to answer the question is allowed to do so in a timely manner. Allow discussion to go on for twenty to twenty-five minutes. During the actual protocol, ask facilitator to draw a Q & A out of the bowl and read both the question and answer. (The student who answered will raise his hand and explain his answer. If more than one answered the same way, he may also add to the discussion.) Repeat the process, pulling questions and answers. At the end of the discussion, invite observers to comment on the Fishbowl but with the understanding that they are not to invalidate or question the students’ contributions to the discussion.
Reference and/or for more information:
23. Student Fishbowl
Gorski, P. Student Fishbowl. http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/fishbowl.html
23. Student Fishbowl
Gorski, P. Student Fishbowl. http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/fishbowl.html