Purpose
When using Fishbowl Discussions, students are required to come together in a collaborative manner in order to solve a given problem or overcome an obstacle posed by the teacher. This helps to focus student attention in a specific manner and think critically while working together. Students must also provide evidence to support their arguments, which assists in the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills. Since the students are working in groups to discuss and debate the issue, they have the opportunity to expand their own understanding due to the influence of multiple perspectives.
Procedures
To begin the Fishbowl Discussion, the teacher would first need to identify the focus of the discussion. Students then have the opportunity to generate ideas individually before conferring with other students in small groups. Several students, usually between three and six, sit in the center of the room to voice the debate; no other students in the room are allowed to participate in the discussion without "tapping in" and releasing one of the students already in the center discussion. After a suitable amount of time, typically five to ten minutes, all group members in the center would be changed.
Example
If a class is covering the William Golding novel Lord of the Flies, a Fishbowl Discussion could effectively promote critical thinking if presented in the correct manner. For example, following the reading of chapter nine and the murder of Simon, students could be prompted to debate the leadership abilities of Jack and Ralph, both of whom are competing at this point for the respect of the remaining boys. Students would be required to find evidence from the text in order to support their particular arguments regarding who would make a more capable leader. Varying themes can be brought up at this time, including responsibility, savagery, civilization, and survival. Numerous perspectives can be explored during this discussion while the students collaborate through a select group of students in order to determine a solution to the problem posed.
References: Central High School, 2012