Leading a Discussion

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Get used to dead air. Many instructors fear silence. All those eyes looking at you. Waiting. Waiting. But there's nothing wrong with dead air. Give yourself time to think before responding (fifteen seconds usually works). It might feel like a lifetime, but students will respect you if they see that you've taken time to consider your response. Likewise, give your students time to think. There aren't many of us who can produce brilliant comments out of thin air.