FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What does redirecting a classroom discussion accomplish?

1. Encourages differing viewpoints

2. Confirms the teacher's authority

3. Eliminates contention

4. Promotes passive learning

The correct answer is: Encourages differing viewpoints

Redirecting a classroom discussion serves to encourage differing viewpoints among students. This technique allows the teacher to steer the conversation in a direction that fosters critical thinking and engagement. By guiding students to explore various perspectives, the teacher creates an environment where multiple ideas can be expressed and examined, leading to a richer understanding of the subject matter. This approach not only helps students articulate their thoughts but also teaches them to listen to and respect differing opinions, enhancing the overall learning experience. In contrast, confirming a teacher's authority focuses more on control over the discussion rather than promoting dialogue, while eliminating contention might suppress important discussions and lead to a lack of depth. Promoting passive learning implies that students are not actively participating or engaging with the material, which is not the goal of a well-facilitated classroom discussion.