The Discussion Book

Educators will be interested in The Discussion Book by Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill. The authors provide easy-to-follow instructions to fifty exercises designed to promote discussion in small and large groups. The directions for each technique describe the method’s purpose, how to do it, where and when to use it, what participants appreciate about the exercise, possible pitfalls, and the type of questions for which the technique is best suited. There are techniques to initiate discussions in new groups, promote good questioning, foster active listening, conduct discussions without talking, draw people out of their comfort zone, democratize participation, build group cohesion, facilitate decision making, carry on text-based discussions, and more. Anyone having to facilitate group discussions will find this a useful manual.

Small Teaching

Small Teaching by James Lang is filled with simple practices that can be inserted into existing course designs to improve student learning outcomes at the college level. There is no need for massive course redesign to implement Lang’s tested recommendations. He has purposely focused on actions that can be implemented tomorrow. All his practices are based on research. Chapters include the theories, practices, and principles needed to address the means to enhance student knowledge, understanding, motivation, growth, and more. This is a practical resource that faculty will refer to often as they strive to further the learning of their students.

Reskilling America

Industrial jobs are beginning to return to the United States, but the country lacks an adequately trained workforce. In Reskilling America, Katherine Newman and Hella Winston explain why this is the case and how to remedy the labor shortage. The two sociologists trace the history of vocational education in the U.S. and how Americans developed a bias against blue-collar jobs. The cognitive and physical skills required by industrial workers are generally devalued. And the current obsession that everyone earns a college degree is exacerbating the situation. Youths with a bent for professions in the trades are instead being channeled into higher education. The authors show how vocational training can be an intellectually rigorous form of education and provide young people with well-paying careers. Newman and Winston discuss the challenges facing vocational education and how those challenges may be resolved. Anyone concerned with the future of American industry, labor, education, and youth would be well served by reading this volume.