Group Discussion Roles
You are responsible for the assigned readings and engaging in a group discussion. Focus
questions will be provided, and you may have additional relevant questions to pose. The
group will be responsible for carrying out the discussion, probing the topic, locating
additional resources and demonstrating understanding for how it may apply in a class
setting. These discussions take place on the class discussion board, with forums set up
for each group.
Each group member will have an assigned discussion role (described below.) These will
rotate for each topic so everyone will have an opportunity to experience each role. You
are each expected to be responsive to each other while carrying out your own role.
The roles for each group are:
Facilitator: The facilitator will keep the discussion on task and direct it as
necessary. You will be making sure the major concepts from the reading and learning
units are presented and kept in perspective. Try to make the “theory” or concepts
come alive and relevant to the learners.
Summarizer: The summarizer will pull the ideas together and synthesize the
comments. You will post this back to the group in a concise manner. This helps
your group members see the collective picture and keep on task.
Clarifier: The clarifier asks questions that challenge learners to think about what
has been discussed. Pay attention to where confusion exists or where concepts may
be cloudy. When relevant, challenge the conversation to help clarify reasoning. Ask
questions that lead the others into application of the concepts.
Researcher: The researcher supports the major concepts by providing additional
relevant details. You will seek additional resources and websites to assist everyone in
understanding and applying the concepts. You will make sure any definitions are
clear and reframed in a context understood by all.
Please note: Although each member is responsible for an “assigned” role for a particular
discussion, you may also put on the hat of another role in addition to your own. For
example, anyone who finds a useful resources should post it, and not leave it only to the
Researcher. If a good question needs to be raised, anyone can raise it and not leave it
only to the Clarifier.
Adapted from “Discussion Roles” with stated permission from the author: Dr. Joan D. McMahon, Towson University, Towson,
MD 21252 , mcmahon@towson.edu