Arrange the seating such that each participant can maintain eye contact with the others (circle or horseshoe). Make sure that your chair is part of the circle.

Learn participants’ names. Get participants to learn each other’s names.

Do not set yourself up as an authority (even though you may be one). Talk less and listen more to increase participation. Don't give a mini lecture. Decisions should be made cooperatively through discussion.

You may initiate a discussion by setting a problem, by asking an open-ended question, or by beginning with a controversy. Invite the participants to speculate. Allow them to play with ideas.

Don’t rush to cover all the content. It is more important to be effective than efficient. Use praise often and recognize minority opinions.

Allow periods of silence to occur. The participants may be thinking!

Summarize the discussion at the end of the session. It is important to summarize what really was discussed and not just use a pre-prepared summary.

Summarize when a clear breakthrough in learning has occurred, a key learning point is discussed, or an important piece of expert opinion is explored.