Question 72

Establishing procedures for students to use active listening skills while engaging in small-group discussions allows the students to focus on acquiring the exact message a speaker is trying to present.

Active listening skills enable students to concentrate on understanding the speaker's message accurately, which is essential for effective communication and collaboration during discussions.

A) communicate personal feelings through tone of voice and body language

While understanding tone of voice and body language is a component of effective communication, this option does not directly relate to the primary focus of active listening, which is to grasp the speaker's message. Active listening emphasizes comprehension over personal expression.

B) focus on acquiring the exact message a speaker is trying to present

This is the correct option because active listening involves attentive engagement with the speaker's words, promoting a deeper understanding of the message being conveyed. This skill is critical in small-group discussions where clarity of communication is vital for collaborative efforts.

C) plan out exactly what they want to say while another person is speaking

This option contradicts the principles of active listening, which requires students to fully concentrate on the speaker rather than preparing their own responses. Planning a reply while someone else is speaking can hinder true understanding of the message.

D) make inferences and predictions about what a speaker is trying to say

Although making inferences can be a part of comprehension, it is not the main goal of active listening. The primary aim is to accurately receive and understand the speaker's intended message without assumptions or predictions that could distort understanding.

Conclusion

Focusing on acquiring the exact message a speaker is trying to present is essential for effective communication in small-group discussions. This skill enhances comprehension and fosters a productive dialogue, while the other options either misinterpret the role of active listening or divert attention from the speaker's message.