Engage Students in Meaningful Discussions with Parlay

Stephen Mosley
3 min readJul 9, 2023

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One of my favorite tools for facilitating discussions amongst students is an online app called Parlay. To me, the modern classroom requires modern solutions for effective teaching. In today’s digital age, online applications like Parlay provide great opportunities for teachers to engage students in thoughtful discussions and debates, develop their critical thinking skills, and promote stronger communication skills. Parlay Ideas is an efficient and effective tool for making learning more collaborative and interactive, in or out of the classroom.

Parlay can help teachers create deep, thought-provoking discussions in the classroom. Some pre-made discussions are designed for specific courses, including English, Social Studies, Science, and Math. The teacher can select the discussions that are suitable for their classroom and adapt them to meet the needs of their

If none of the pre-made discussion topics suite their needs, teachers can create their own discussion topic related to the curriculum or current events. And now, with the latest addition to the app, teachers can use AI (called the Parlay Genie) to create discussion prompts.

Examples of uses of the Parlay app include: In English class, a teacher can use Parlay Ideas to encourage students to analyze and interpret literary texts by creating debates centered around plot points, themes, and character development. In science class, the app can be used to explore current events and hot topics in the field, such as climate change or genetic engineering. Finally, in history class, teachers can use Parlay Ideas to foster debates around critical topics, such as civil rights, world wars, and societal changes.

Students can participate by sharing their opinions, research, or insights. Parlay provides various options for discussion, such as live discussions, writing responses to peers, and rating the responses of others. This helps students feel heard and seen in the class, creating a sense of belonging and community in the classroom.

Parlay encourages critical thinking and communication skills by challenging students to think in new ways. Students are required to research, analyze, and synthesize information to contribute to the discussion. They learn how to read and respond to other’s perspectives, developing a deeper understanding of the course materials. This helps them develop confidence and communication skills that can help them in college and the workplace.

Parlay increases classroom engagement by having every student participate through its anonymity feature. A great option in Parlay ideas is that students are anonymous to each other, so they are more inclined to post their thoughts on a particular topic. Only the teacher knows who the students are. By participating in Parlay discussions, students are actively engaged in their learning. They are encouraged to speak up, share their ideas and listen to others.

In a flipped or blended classroom, Parlay is a powerful tool that teachers can use to engage students in meaningful discussions, develop critical thinking and communication skills, customize learning discussions, track student progress, and increase student engagement. Parlay is a must-have tool for any educator looking to bring collaborative learning to their classroom.

Parlayideas.com

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