Student Participation
Hello,
I have been teaching for less then a year now and I have noticed one constant with every class that I have had to this point. I get usually 1, somtimes 2 students who want to participate with anything I ask for feedback on. Do I let these students keep talking, or do I stop them and let them know we have others that need to participate? I don't want to take the spirit from these students, but I know other students would participate more if these couple students didn't chime in on every question. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Hi Shane,
This is a very good way of spreading the discussion around and among all students. It is low pressure but gets them to talking. Thanks for sharing it.
Gary
One of the things that I do is to call on different students. Not to single them out but to encourage participation from everyone. One of the tricks I use is this... "Jamie, would you agree with me that..." and give the right answer. This takes the pressure off of the student and stimulates participation from everyone.
Hi Kay,
Good way to make sure everyone is included in the discussion and learning process. Pulling out students is a must when you have some that aren't comfortable in contributing unless called on.
Gary
Greeting Everyone,
Asking probing questions has worked very well for me in terms of fostering participation and interaction. This is primarily because asking thought provoking (additional) questions challenge students to think more critically about the subject-matter instead of simply answering discussion
questions.
In addition, I ask student-specific questions using students' first names as well as questions addressed to the entire class.
R. Kay Green
Hi Eric,
I usually call on a student first by his or her name. I then ask my question so the same students don't blurt out the answer without giving my other students a chance to really think about the answer to the question.
Hi Crystal,
Good idea! This way you are bringing the whole class into discussion and participation. I am sure the students enjoy hearing what others have written as well as seeing their own work being shared.
Gary
One thing I have tried this quarter in my writing classes, is I ask students if I can read parts of their essays (or well written answers to essay questions) to the class. It gives those extremely timid students a chance to hear their own thoughts voiced,and other students often respond directly to the student whose work I have read from, pulling them into a class discussion and building their self-confidence.
Crystal Berntson
I used to teach my Composition course as a workshop (before I switched to online, that is) and that gave everyone in the class a chance to talk. It also required that they talk. Otherwise, if we weren't workshopping, I would make it a point to make sure everyone got to share. I would ask students who weren't speaking if they agreed or disagreed with the other students.
Hi Eric,
This is a common problem in all classes. The key is to control the balance of students and their contributions. When in the discussion format you can put students into groups and have them report out this takes the talkers out of the conversation except for when their group is presenting. Another is to call on students at random, after letting them know you are going to do this and then you can include all of the students. If all else fails you can have a talk with the vocal students and explain to them that you need to hear from others. I have also during this talk told them that they can ask two questions or make two comments during discussion time. I have found the limiting works and it doesn't hurt their feelings because of how I approach and explain to them how I need to hear from others.
Gary
I feel like I get the best response when I involve everyone. Yesterday, I had a student that seemed disengaged but after I started role-playing and scenarios in class, he began to perk up and became very involved in the discussion.
