Role-based Small Group Discussion
For text based group discussion assignments there will five to six different roles that each group
member will voluntarily select from. This will allow you to be involved in asynchronous text based
discussion groups to foster processing of learning content, and to participate in a similar format found in
face-to-face sessions. This learning environment aims to create collaboration, social negotiation, and
quality graduate level communication of course material.
The roles are as follows:
Starter: Initiates a topic discussion by asking a specific critical thinking question related to the assigned
readings and the module and what led them to ask this question.
Theoretician: Introduces theoretical information learned from the readings and module that can be
applied to the initial starter’s question and gives a practical example of this. In other words how would a
theoretical explanation best address the critical thinking question? So this person is not just mentioning
a theory(s) specified in the readings and module, but discussing specific theoretical concepts that are
related to the initial topic.
Ethicist: Summarizes additional material from assigned readings and module that is pertinent to the
Schriver's paradigm analysis or Forte's theory appraisal.
Moderator or Commentator: Stimulates participation by all so that everyone is not just sharing
information but ensures knowledge is made through shared learning, bringing new points, the meaning
of discussion is weighed, compared, and/or contrasted. It could go something like “it sounds like
everyone is saying…? So I am wondering about …? It sounds like Jane is saying… so what about?
Source Searcher: Seeks and shares external information learned from two outside evidence based peer
reviewed journal articles which include a social work and an interdisciplinary journal. This person will
provide the references of the sources. This should stimulate more discussion so learning goes beyond
what you read in the module and assigned readings.
Resource Person: Will expand even more and share some information based on a current newspaper
article or related news item that is related to the topic of discussion.
Reference
Wever, B.D., Schellens, T., Van Keer, H., & Valcke, M. (2008). Structuring asynchronous discussion groups
by introducing roles: Do students act in line with assigned roles? Small Group Research, 39 (6),
770-794.