Levels of Interaction in Seminars
Discussion Grades
Silent:
0
points
No response throughout seminar. Of various reasons for this behavior, two need to be
considered in order not to sacrifice the group. Lack of trust in the group and therefore
the unwillingness to take a risk and share; or lack of confidence in one's own critical
abilities--a sense of being so overpowered by the material that it's hard to see the
forest for the trees.
Silencing the text:
2 point
Personal opinions, experiences and/or memories dominate, without much consideration for
the text. This behavior indicates an inability to engage and is often accompanied by
complacency or boredom. Possibilities for learning are greatly reduced. Often the
participant is judgmental or dismisses the text altogether.
Testing the water:
4 points
Some two or three general comments about the text to let people know s/he has read it.
The participant is beginning to get the toes wet.
Collecting:
6
points
Listing many observations and quotes from the text without analyzing them. The
participant is still struggling a bit with being overpowered by the material, but what is
important is that she is struggling with it.
Engaging:
8 points
This signals real reading. In seminar it is usually accompanied by an emotional as well
as an intellectual response to the material. At this level, participants are generally
enthusiastic. Among the various responses possible: discussing the possible and biases of
the author; seeking to define terms (both the author's and the discussants'); seeking to
make meaning out of the quotes; asking questions; answering questions about the text posed
by the group; clarifying each other's positions. This level indicates a strategy of
learning.
Understanding:
At this level, participants are structuring and integrating the material through
association with personal experience (here, personal experience illuminates rather than
dominates the text) and with other literature. "Understanding" is not a question
of categories, which can rob the subject of its uniqueness. Rather, it has to do with
making meaningful connections.
And/or
Making Connections:
10
points
This level is the level of "critical" appreciation and respect. The
participant has understood the material from whatever perspectives are available and now
makes a conscious evaluation or judgment about it, acknowledging difference and inability
to understand where appropriate.
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