Role of the Discussion Leader There is no more important participant in a discussion than the person leading it. This role can be both challenging and rewarding. Here are a few suggestions for bringing out a range of opinions, exploring the topic thoroughly, and encouraging a rich and lively discussion. A discussion leader serves as a facilitator rather than a lecturer, remains impartial, shows respect for all opinions, and does not try to influence the outcome of the discussion, creates opportunities for everyone to speak, helps participants look for common ground, but avoids pushing for a consensus, keeps the conversation moving and on track by occasionally summarizing points and bringing the discussion back to the topic if it wanders unproductively, raises views that have not been considered by the group, asks questions that challenge old assumptions, deals quickly with any problems that arise and, if a ground rule is broken, asks the group to help re-establish the rules, and helps integrate outside experts into the conversation, so that their valuable knowledge contributes to the richness of the exchange of ideas but does not dominate the conversation. Role of the discussion leader | Determining the conversation topic Keeping discussions going | Finding experts | Using experts as resources Classroom strategies | Setting ground rules for student participation | Closing the conversation