How do we capture and hold attention in a world of soundbites and text messaging? By giving students a voice. Seminars not only encourage participation, they are built on it. In the seminar classroom, teachers guide and coach students in respectful debate, clear and logical argument, persuasive rhetoric, and careful questioning. Seminars are designed around the discipline, so that a literature discussion, a lab, a lesson in mathematics, and the analysis of a work of art can be tailored to the type of material and the lesson being taught. This careful planning maximizes the benefit to students, building confidence through self-expression and peer learning, while building up skills and knowledge.
