Initiate *Panic* Reply Evaluate

When reading about IRE sequence and Maria’s predicament, I was very sympathetic, and realized that I didn’t participate in anything that could possibly qualify as a “class discussion” until I started taking upper division college courses.  Up until I came here, I was thrown into many “discussions” that put me in a predicament similar to Maria’s.  I’d be sitting in class, trying to look busy, but very strategically, not too inquisitive and passionate as to not be asked my own opinion.  When I was inevitably put on the spot, I, like many others before me, would give a scattered thought that “piggy-backed” off one of the more involved student’s comments, or more realistically, ripped it off in a vague and re-phrased manner.

I believe that IRE sequence inevitably leads to this type of failed class discussion.  Even in college classes I’ve seen Professors forced to adopt some sort of ridiculous “five point discussion” policy due to the timidity of the students.  This of course results in three people speaking for 45 minutes and 27 trying to jump in the “discussion” in the last 5 minutes.  All of this results from the IRE structure.  Perhaps an educator should set up the groundwork for a discussion, but the students should be the ones evaluating and responding to each other’s thoughts, this is what creates passion and facilitates actual learning and interest around a subject.  IRE structure leads to students like Maria feel like they’ve been randomly selected for a public stoning, which only enforces their inclination to lay low during discussion.