Includes bibliographical references and index.

Discussion in a democratic society -- How discussion helps learning and enlivens classrooms -- Preparing for discussion -- Getting discussi on started -- Keeping discussion going through questioning, listening, and responding -- Keeping discussion going through creative grouping -- Discussion in culturally diverse classrooms -- Discussing across gende rs differences / written with Eleni Roulis -- Keeping students' voices in balance -- Keepings teachers' voices in balance -- Understanding the dynamics of online discussion -- Creating the conditions for online di scussion -- How theory informs the practice of discussion -- Discussion groups as democratic learning laboratories -- Evaluating discussion.